THE PROPOSAL (2019)

Starring Jill Magid, Federica Zanco

Directed by Jill Magid

Distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories. 86 minutes. Opening this Friday at the Laemmle Monica Film Center.

At first glance, the synopsis of The Proposal is difficult to decipher. The poster reflects a black and white image of a man in a diamond-shaped box with a large manicured hand gripping it’s top. A woman, much smaller in scale and with her back turned, examines the bottom of the diamond. This image may seem open to interpretation, but the poster, like the film, is a deliberate and meaningful work of art in its own right.

The image’s complexity is a reflection of the tumultuous relationship between the desire to share the work of deceased artist and architect Luis Barragán, propelled by director Jill Magid, and Federica Zanco, the woman who legally controls Barragán’s archive. This documentary, which is executive produced by Laura Poitras, plays more like an upbeat mystery than a retrospective of the life and work of Barragán. Yes, those who are interested in the legacy of one of Mexico’s most infamous artists, considered a poet among architects, will no doubt enjoy this visually abundant film. And those who are not yet familiar with him or his work will be exposed to some of the most breathtaking works of art.

Jill Magid makes it her personal mission to unlock Barragán’s archives from their undeserved vaults by traveling from her home in NYC to Barragán’s former home in Mexico to the Vitra Corporation in Switzerland where she eventually meets with Federica face to face. Barragán’s work was sold to Federica and her husband years ago, so legally she can determine their future. But for Jill and other fans of the artist, keeping his work away from the public feels like a disregard for moral responsibility. The Swiss Corporation has been extremely secretive, holding Barragan’s work hostage for enormous sums of money. As described in the film, it’s “active censorship perpetuated through capitalism.”

The film’s title – The Proposal – refers to the unconventional way Jill bribes Federica to return the archived works to Mexico. Her proposition garnered national attention for it’s controversial, yet creative, initiative and is something that must be seen to be believed. The Proposal, a stunning debut feature from Jill Magid, feels a little self-indulgent at times but is fully sincere in its execution, making this real-life art mystery a necessary addition to your “must see” list.