Julio Torres & Tilda Swinton talk ’Problemista,’ Craigslist, and why they adore one another
We've all heard our fair share of New York "fairytales," but there's never been one quite like the hilarious, whimsical, and thought-provoking 'Problemista.'
The film's uniqueness should come as no surprise, considering it's the brainchild of Julio Torres, the writer-director-actor whose singular work includes 'Los Espookys,' comedy special 'My Favorite Shapes,' and some recent 'SNL' favorites like "Wells For Boys" and "The Actress" (which both happen to feature Emma Stone, who produced 'Problemista').
For his feature debut, Torres pulled from his own experiences as a queer Salvadoran immigrant working to find his way as an artist in America, telling a story both personal and universal—with just the right amount of surreal fantasy.
Of course, his hero's quest would be nothing without a dragon to slay, which is what brought him to Tilda Swinton, playing a "boss from hell" in one of her most eccentric roles yet (and that's saying something!).
But there's more than meets the eye with both of their mismatched characters, and Torres and Swinton ultimately tell what they deem to be a "love story," proving these two kindred spirits are a match made in cinematic heaven.
As 'Problemista' opens wide in theaters across the country, Queerty sat down with the stars to gush about the qualities they admire in one another, stretching the limits of reality, and—because we had to know—whether or not Tilda Swinton has ever used Craigslist.
Video edited by Zachery Lee Ramey.
The film's uniqueness should come as no surprise, considering it's the brainchild of Julio Torres, the writer-director-actor whose singular work includes 'Los Espookys,' comedy special 'My Favorite Shapes,' and some recent 'SNL' favorites like "Wells For Boys" and "The Actress" (which both happen to feature Emma Stone, who produced 'Problemista').
For his feature debut, Torres pulled from his own experiences as a queer Salvadoran immigrant working to find his way as an artist in America, telling a story both personal and universal—with just the right amount of surreal fantasy.
Of course, his hero's quest would be nothing without a dragon to slay, which is what brought him to Tilda Swinton, playing a "boss from hell" in one of her most eccentric roles yet (and that's saying something!).
But there's more than meets the eye with both of their mismatched characters, and Torres and Swinton ultimately tell what they deem to be a "love story," proving these two kindred spirits are a match made in cinematic heaven.
As 'Problemista' opens wide in theaters across the country, Queerty sat down with the stars to gush about the qualities they admire in one another, stretching the limits of reality, and—because we had to know—whether or not Tilda Swinton has ever used Craigslist.
Video edited by Zachery Lee Ramey.
