Julio Torres, who has earned writing credits on over 60 episodes of Saturday Night Live and co-created the horror comedy series Los Espookys with Ana Fabrega and Fred Armisen, has made his directorial debut with the oddball comedy Problemista, which is set to receive a limited theatrical release from A24 on August 4th. A wide release will follow on August 25th. With those dates swiftly approaching, a new trailer for Problemista has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above.
Promising to take viewers on a “surreal adventure through the equally treacherous worlds of New York City and the U.S. Immigration system”, Problemista has the following 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.
Torres stars as Alejandro and is joined in the cast by Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin), RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists), Greta Lee (The Morning Show), Catalina Saavedra (The Maid), James Scully (Titans), Larry Owens (Abbott Elementary), Laith Nakli (The Long Road Home), Kelly McCormack (A League of Their Own), Spike Einbinder (You Hurt My Feelings), Greta Titelman (Search Party), and River L. Ramirez (Los Espookys). Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet) is the narrator.
Torres also produced Problemista with Dave McCary, Ali Herting, and Emma Stone.
We saw the first trailer for the film back in May. After seeing that one, our own Steve Seigh said the movie looks to be right up his alley. I’m a bit more ambivalent about it. While it looks like it could be amusing, there’s also concern that it’s going to be too quirky for my taste. The “surreal adventure” description is more of a warning than a selling point. So it’s a “wait and see” for me.
What did you think of the new trailer for Problemista? Does this look like a movie you would like to see next month? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.