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 wouldnāt be a film fest these days without a little taste of the offbeat from A24. And what selection could possibly follow last yearās SXSW opening night sensation Everything Everywhere All At Once? Coincidentally, itās another immigrant story, this time from Julio Torres with his beautifully off-the-wall Problemista.Ā
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 ātil he makes it despite her erratic and demanding behavior.Ā
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, Torresā understated and earnest performance is sweetly endearing. And Tilda Swintonās turn as Alejandroās 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 Swintonās art house gravitas, A24 has hit another outre home run.
Flaminā 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 Flaminā Hot chronicles the rags-to-riches story of Richard MontaƱez. And what, pray tell, propelled the former janitor to the upper echelon at Frito Lay? MontaƱez brilliantly tapped into the vibrant flavors inherent to Latino culture to invigorate the snack industry with a spicy-hot revolution.Ā
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) Richieās ingenuity, perseverance, and support from family and colleagues propels him to the top.
On top of all the long-shot intrigue, Flaminā 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 Layās parent company PepsiCo are hilariously dubbed āDrunk Historyā style with Richieās 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 Flaminā 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 RevolutionĀ
SXSW 2023 would not be complete without a good olā 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.Ā
From everyday people who are gaming the system as āretail tradersā 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.Ā
The documentary carefully weaves threads that go back to Nixonās 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 genreās well-established mold. Skewing almost entirely toward horror/thriller territory with maybe the odd comedic entry as well, thereās one glaring blind spot in science fictionās sub-categories. Whereās the love? Enter director Kristian Mercadoās 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 thereās 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.
If You Were The Last is 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 didnāt know we needed.
