Cinema Scholars concludes its coverage of SXSW 2023 by taking a look at four of our favorite films from this year’s festival.
Problemista
It wouldn’t be a film fest these days without a little taste of the offbeat from A24. And what selection could possibly follow last year’s SXSW opening night sensation Everything EverywhereAll At Once? Coincidentally, it’s another immigrant story, this time from Julio Torres with his beautifully off-the-wall Problemista.
Originally from El Salvador, both in real life and onscreen, Torres directs and stars as Alejandro, a young man caught in an immigration catch-22. When a widowed socialite offers to employ and sponsor him, Alejandro fakes it ‘til he makes it despite her erratic and demanding behavior.
Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton in PROBLEMISTA | Credit: Courtesy of A24
Though Problemista is very much based in reality, Torres uses whimsical interludes and constant humor to keep the film from feeling as depressing as it probably otherwise should. In fact, the film ends up being a downright feel-good flick and a unique underdog story.
In addition to inspired writing and directing, Torres’ understated and earnest performance is sweetly endearing. And Tilda Swinton’s turn as Alejandro’s perfectly unhinged and entitled benefactor proves to be just the right counterpoint. With just the right amount of quirky flair, a touch of cool from RZA in a small role, plus Swinton’s art house gravitas, A24 has hit another outre home run.
Flamin’ Hot
Perhaps the most delightful surprise of SXSW 2023 was another underdog story of epic proportions. Directed by Eva Longoria (yes, that Eva Longoria), the biopic Flamin’ Hotchronicles the rags-to-riches story of Richard Montañez. And what, pray tell, propelled the former janitor to the upper echelon at Frito Lay? Montañez brilliantly tapped into the vibrant flavors inherent to Latino culture to invigorate the snack industry with a spicy-hot revolution.
Like any good against-all-odds story, Richard (or Richie, as his loved ones call him) faces incredible obstacles. Notably, a meager education and the color of his skin in a country not yet ready to acknowledge that a growing majority of the population looks like Richie. Yet despite these inherent setbacks (plus some unresolved generational trauma) Richie’s ingenuity, perseverance, and support from family and colleagues propels him to the top.
On top of all the long-shot intrigue, Flamin’ Hot is a ton of fun. There is obvious heavy social commentary, yet Longoria keeps the story light with almost constant laughs. Scenes of buttoned-up executive meetings at Frito Lay’s parent company PepsiCo are hilariously dubbed “Drunk History” style with Richie’s more colorful exposition. And contentious interactions between Richie and his adversaries play out differently (and much more hilariously) in his imagination before the real-life outcome is revealed. Elements like these, plus a breakneck pace, make Flamin’ Hot heartfelt and highly entertaining. Bravo to Eva Longoria for crafting a humorous and inspiring story that sheds light on yet another great Latino-American story.
The New Americans: Gaming A Revolution
SXSW 2023 would not be complete without a good ol’ doomsday documentary, and this year director Ondi Timoner fits the niche with The New Americans: Gaming A Revolution. While not a complete harbinger of end times, the informative doc dissects the rise of a new global financial movement spurred by the endless opportunities afforded by the internet in the past 20 years.
From everyday people who are gaming the system as “retail traders” to the rise of cryptocurrencies in the global market, Timoner leaves no stone unturned. Narration from financial wizard Raoul Pal outlines the various topics and insightful commentary from financial experts like Anthony Scaramucci and the infamous Wolf of Wall Street Jordan Belfort lends the film some ironically down-to-earth explanation.
Photo courtesy of The New Americans: Gaming A Revolution.
The documentary carefully weaves threads that go back to Nixon’s end of the gold standard and the dawn of the internet all the way through the GameStop debacle and the January 6th insurrection. While somewhat exhausting in its scope, The New Americans: Gaming A Revolution is an eye-opening indictment of the current gamification of financial markets and the lack of regulations in place to protect people. Though the film leaves the audience with that sense of futility that seems obligatory in these kinds of docs, it is a fascinating ride nonetheless.
If You Were The Last
There is a plethora of sci-fi offerings released every year, yet it is exceedingly rare for one to break the genre’s well-established mold. Skewing almost entirely toward horror/thriller territory with maybe the odd comedic entry as well, there’s one glaring blind spot in science fiction’s sub-categories. Where’s the love? Enter director Kristian Mercado’s If You Were The Last, an adorable sci-fi rom-com.
Adam and Jane live a quiet life together playing games, watching movies, learning dances, and maintaining their home full of plants and animals. But there’s one catch. They are astronauts trapped in a spaceship with failed communication and navigation systems. As the pair contend with the realization that their daily attempts at repairing the ship may never pan out, they start to consider their options to, ahem, get busy.
Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao in “If You Were the Last” | Credit: If You Were the Last
If You Were The Lastis a fun and unique take on the classic unexpected love story. Anthony Mackie and Zoe Chau are an absolute delight as the stranded astronauts with their easy humor and undeniable chemistry. Quirky set design that reads more mid-century than spaceship modern adds to the warm allure of the film. And chapter markers featuring a lo-fi paper mache design depicting their flight tops off the twee perfectly. A bright and charming star in a universe of mostly dark and serious offerings, If You Were The Last is the charming sci-fi romance we didn’t know we needed.
