A24, a studio that has built a reputation for releasing indie projects from filmmakers with unique voices, may have found the next big thing with Julio Torres’ Problemista. The surreal immigrant story stars Torres who is also the writer and director, playing a young man hoping to make it big in America as a toy designer.
After debuting at SXSW last year, the film was going to open in the summer in what could’ve been a brilliant bit of counter-programming. However, the SAG-AFTRA strike put the kibosh on that plan, and A24 smartly moved Problemista to this March.
Torres has found a lot of support for the film, with Tilda Swinton co-starring as a misfit artist who takes his character under her wing. Also, Emma Stone and Dave McCrary are counted among the film’s producers. The cast Torres has put together includes RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Larry Owens, Catalina Saavedra, and Greta Lee.
Here’s the synopsis: Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream. From writer/director Julio Torres comes a surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system.
Problemista will open in limited release on March 1st, followed by a nationwide rollout on March 22nd.
