Nine Queens (2000)

Two con artists try to swindle a stamp collector by selling him a sheet of counterfeit rare stamps (the "nine queens").

Director:

Fabián Bielinsky (as Fabian Bielinsky)

Writer:

Fabián Bielinsky (as Fabian Bielinsky)

Stars:

Ricardo Darín, Gastón Pauls, Leticia Brédice

22 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ricardo Darín	...	Marcos
Gastón Pauls	...	Juan
Leticia Brédice	...	Valeria
María Mercedes Villagra	...	Convenience Store Employee 2
Gabo Correa	...	Convenience Store Manager (as Gabriel Correa)
Pochi Ducasse	...	Aunt
Luis Armesto	...	Bar Waiter
Ernesto Arias	...	Bar Manager
Amancay Espíndola	...	Woman in Elevator
Isaac Fajm	...	Vendor
Jorge Noya	...	Aníbal
Graciela Tenenbaum	...	Convenience Store Employee
Oscar Nuñez	...	Sandler
Ignasi Abadal	...	Vidal Gandolfo
Carlos Lanari	...	Man on Cell Phone

Storyline

Early one morning, Marcos observes Juan successfully pulling off a bill-changing scam on a cashier, and then getting caught as he attempts to pull the same trick on the next shift. Marcos steps in, claiming to be a policeman, and drags Juan out of the store. Once they are back on the street, Marcos reveals himself to be a fellow swindler with a game of much higher stakes in mind, and he invites Juan to be his partner in crime. A once-in-a-lifetime scheme seemingly falls into their laps - an old-time con man enlists them to sell a forged set of extremely valuable rare stamps, The Nine Queens. The tricky negotiations that ensue bring into the picture a cast of suspicious characters, including Marcos' sister Valeria, their younger brother Federico and a slew of thieves, conmen and pickpockets. As the deceptions mount, it becomes more and more difficult to figure out who is conning whom.

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Plot Keywords:

held at gunpoint | playing cards | philately | bag of money | counterfeiting | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films trailer, interview, etc. (French, Flash) [France] Sony Pictures Classics - trailer, synopsis, etc. (Flash) [United States]

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

31 August 2000 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Nine Queens

Filming Locations:

Hotel Hilton, Puerto Madero, Capital Federal, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,724, 21 April 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,221,261, 6 October 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

FX Sound,Industrias Audiovisuales Argentinas S.A.,J.Z. & Asociados

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie has an US version called Criminal (2004) starring John C. Reilly, Diego Luna and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

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Quotes

Marcos: WE aren't lacking homosexuals, just financiers.

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Connections

Remade as Gulumaal: The Escape (2009)

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Soundtracks

Il Ballo del Mattone
(1976)
Written by Dino Verde (as Verde, Eduardo) and Bruno Canfora (as Canfora, Bruno)
by Rita Pavone
Edited by Curci Edizioni

User Reviews

Excellent, even if you don't understand Spanish.

I have watched this movie about four times in last two years. It is an excellent movie, very believable. More so than similar Hollywood movies in the recent years. Movie has good casting, excellent script, and very good acting. I highly recommend this movie even if you don't understand Spanish- I have enjoyed it every time, even with sub-titles. There is a Hollywood remake of this move in works, the script is golden. The story is particularly relevant, considering what has happened in Argentina over the last four years. I with the director would make more movies. I have searched for his first movie (Sonámbula, La) in US but have been unable to find it. I hope it airs on one of the premium channels.

9 out of 10 stars.