‘Problemista’ and the Age of Aquarius
‘Problemista’ and the Age of Aquarius
Feature art by Joaquin Prudente
The Aquarian, the water bearer, is most notably recognized for their individualism—a creative leader yet to bow to the beat of anyone else’s drum but theirs. They are described as mercurial, eccentric, and living in their own head. So to the shock of no one, their kind is easily spotted in the arts. Now that we’ve firmly settled into the Aquarius season I believe it’s high time that we collectively embrace the most creative time of the year. And I can’t think of any other film more suitable to welcome the season than Julio Torres’ Problemista, a surrealist comedy-drama that follows an aspiring toy designer’s struggles against corporate America.
Alejandro or simply Ale, our protagonist, has had recurring nightmares of succumbing to dark caves with monsters lurking within them since he was a child. Despite his fears and his mother’s disapproval, the possibility of danger never deterred Ale from venturing into the unknown. One could even infer that life’s unpredictable nature is what lures him in. This attraction towards the undiscovered is what leads Ale away from El Salvador and into a northern borough of New York City: Bushwick.
Larry Owens as Craigslist and Julio Torres as Alejandro | Still taken from Frameline
In the United States, Ale decides that his lifelong aspiration of being a toy designer will come to fruition. But as fate would have it, he barely gets his foot through the door. Desperate and in need of a sponsor, he tucks himself under the wing of an erratically stylish artist by the name of Elizabeth. Admittedly bewildered by her neuroses, Ale can’t help but be charmed by all that she is, her indescribable hair color and all.
Tilda Swinton as Elizabeth and Julio Torres as Alejandro | Still taken from Frameline
After being dragged all over New York doing tasks that he’s barely qualified to do, Ale hits a wall. A moment of self-reflection finally catches up to him and he begins to ask himself why: Why did he choose to leave home? Why did he choose to aspire for such a niche job? Why did he choose to work for a woman who he struggles to impress? And the simple answer to his queries? Because there was no other way. Ale could have chosen to live an easier life, but where’s the joy in that? Should he have paid no mind to all his daydreams? Should he have disregarded all the creativity his mother bore into him? What a waste.
The Aquarius is ruled by the planets Saturn and Uranus, the planets associated with career achievements and ingenuity, respectively. The water bearer, as the name suggests, pours onto the Earth and lets the soil beneath them cultivate and flower. It’s innate to Alejandro, and even in the fabric of the film itself, to let their ideas propagate and bear fruit. It’s through ambitious storytelling devices and zany characters that the central theme of the film shines. That without risk, without innovation, and without wanting it all, we’d all be lending ourselves a great disservice. So here is my last plea to the reader: Live like an Aquarian for a day and let your dreams take you where they need to.
