Irina Palm (2007)

Maggie, a 60-year-old widow, desperately needs some money to pay for a medical treatment for her ill grandson, Olly. After one attempt at trying to find a job, she finds herself roaming the... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Garbarski

Writers:

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

Stars:

Marianne Faithfull, Predrag 'Miki' Manojlovic, Kevin Bishop

7 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marianne Faithfull	...	Maggie
Predrag 'Miki' 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 60-year-old widow, desperately needs some money to pay for a medical treatment for her ill grandson, Olly. After one attempt at trying to find a job, she 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. Her colleague, Luisa, shows her how to give a hand-job through hole in a wall (glory hole) and after the first hesitation, she quickly develops good skills. She uses Irina Palm as her stage name. However, she keeps her work secret from friends and family, which leads to uncomfortable situations. She, who applies herself in order to keep her job, fascinates Mickey.

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Plot Keywords:

glory hole | masturbation | mother in law daughter in law relationship | mother son relationship | sick child | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Miki and Maggie first meet, he says he bets she can't even say the F-word. Marianne Faithfull, who plays Maggie, was, in fact, the first person to say the F-word in a movie, in I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967).

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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

Every now and then

Every now and then a remarkable small film is made. The recent "Venus" starring Peter O'Toole is one. Irina Palm is also one.

This is a story of a middle-aged woman (Maggie, played by Marianne Faithful) worn down by sadness. She must get hold of a substantial amount of money. Forced by necessity and desperation Maggie does something that is at first utterly alien to her, but may yet become an awakening and salvation, a route to an identity she does not know she has and to new love.

Marianne Faithful's central performance is hugely affecting in its undecorated stillness and simplicity. This film is a cut above so many bigger releases. If you like a small story well-told it is for you.

Details

Country:

Belgium Germany Luxembourg UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 2007 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Irina P.

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,474, 23 March 2008

Gross USA:

$44,383

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,610,835

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