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FutureMakerPro: The Surreal Immigrant Experience of 'Problemista' (2024)
Manage episode 477343478 series 3530684
Madeline, Julian, and Emilio continue their cycle of New York City movies with a "Suggestion Box" entry covering "Problemista," the film debut of director, writer, and actor Julio Torres, known previously for his writing on Saturday Night Live, HBO special "My Favorite Shapes," and co-creating and starring in the supernatural comedy "Los Espookys." Like other films the group have discussed in this cycle, "Problemista" depicts a recent immigrant's struggle to get by in New York City, but through a distinctly contemporary lens that stands out for its surrealism and vivacious humor. In discussing Alejandro "Ale" Martinez's journey towards steady employment and a work visa, the group look in depth at the magical realism throughout (with emphasis on "Craigslist" and "Bureaucratic Limbo"), how people with power use or abuse their privilege, and the enigma that is Elizabeth, Alejandro's erratic presumed employer played by a tour-de-force Tilda Swinton. And perhaps they'll match some databases in FileMakerPro in the process...
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Chapters
1. FutureMakerPro: The Surreal Immigrant Experience of 'Problemista' (2024) (00:00:00)
2. Introduction (00:00:18)
3. Not to be Confused with... (00:03:52)
4. Initial Thoughts and Plot Summary (00:07:53)
5. Role of Surrealism/Magical Realism in "Problemista" (00:14:34)
6. Depiction of Immigrant and NYC Experience (00:24:30)
7. The Cave and Customer Service Workers (00:29:09)
8. Comparison Corner (00:31:21)
9. Who Holds Power and How They Use It (00:40:36)
10. Elizabeth: The Narcissism vs. the Altruism (00:52:03)
11. Little Details That Stand Out (01:12:44)
12. Unlikely Shared Universe (01:25:01)
13. Closing Thoughts/What We're Discussing Next (01:32:00)
14. Outro/Socials (01:36:44)
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