Irina Palm (2007)

Maggie, a 50-year-old widow, desperately needs some money to pay for a medical treatment for her ill grandson. After one attempt at trying to find a job, Maggie finds herself roaming the ... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Garbarski

Writers:

Philippe Blasband (original script), Martin Herron (screenplay),

Stars:

Marianne Faithfull, Predrag Manojlovic, Kevin Bishop

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marianne Faithfull	...	Maggie
Predrag Manojlovic	...	Miki (as Miki Manojlovic)
Kevin Bishop	...	Tom
Siobhan Hewlett	...	Sarah
Dorka Gryllus	...	Luisa
Jenny Agutter	...	Jane
Corey Burke	...	Olly
Meg Wynn Owen	...	Julia
Susan Hitch	...	Beth
Flip Webster	...	Edith
Tony O'Brien	...	Shopkeeper
Jules Werner	...	Doctor
Ann Queensberry	...	1st Old Lady
June Bailey	...	2nd Old Lady
Jonny Coyne	...	Dave (as Jonathan Coyne)

Storyline

Maggie, a 50-year-old widow, desperately needs some money to pay for a medical treatment for her ill grandson. After one attempt at trying to find a job, Maggie finds herself roaming the streets of London Soho. Her eye is caught by a small poster in the window of a 'shop' called "Sexy World" which reads: "Hostess wanted". Too desperate and lost to realize what she does she enters. Micky, the owner, is embarrassed at first, but intrigued by Maggie, he decides to have fun and offers her the job. Maggie courageously gets to know her first anonymous customers, eventually using Irina Palm as her stage name. Maggie, who applies herself in order to keep her job, fascinates Mickey.

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Plot Keywords:

widow | money | shame | sex talk | soho london | 

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Taglines:

What would you do to save the life of your terminally ill grandson?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language

Details

Country:

Belgium Germany Luxembourg UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 2007 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

En ti palami outo voisomen

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,694 (USA) (28 March 2008)

Gross:

$44,064 (USA) (13 June 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Entre Chien et Loup, Pallas Film, Samsa Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Maggie enters the office of Miki to accept the job, he's seen playing a videogame. The game music is from Super Mario, and when he raises his eyes to look at Maggie, the death sound is heard.

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Goofs

When Maggie is reading the letter from the bank, rejecting her request for a loan, the letter clearly addresses her as 'Mr'.

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Quotes

Maggie: Olly is dying, I'm wanking, It's a mess!

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Connections

Referenced in Countdown: Antigua fábrica de cerveza, 20:06 horas (2008)

User Reviews

Gritty, original and realistic

Marianne Faithful stars as a grandmother desperate to provide a rare and expensive medical treatment for her cancer-stricken grandson, in any way possible. She tries every other avenue before settling, reluctantly, on sex work.

The synopsis just doesn't do justice to the movie; my expectations were low, but the film really delivers. From the reactions of her friends and family to the pride she begins to take in her job, this movie has a wealth of subtle and not-so-subtle points to make. The one thing I noted was that there is no way, in the context of the film, to condemn her character for what she is doing. She simply has to reach her goal, and nothing is going to stop her. That kind of dedication is rare and touching.

The best scenes were the grandmother's relations with the club owner and other workers. She holds her own and maintains her dignity despite the circumstances she finds herself in. There aren't any crude jokes, despite the material, but there are rare moments of humor.

Watch this if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.