Irina Palm

35mm – colour – running time: 100 min. – Dolby Digital

production:

A Belgian-German-Luxembourgian-English co-production between ENTRE CHIEN ET LOUP, PALLAS FILM, SAMSA FILM and IPSO FACTO FILMS

In co-production with Liaison Cinématographique, Ateliers de Baere, R.T.B.F. (Télévision belge)

supported by: MDM – Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel de la Communauté française de Belgique et des télédistributeurs wallons, Eurimages, FFA- Filmförderungsanstalt,

Film Fund Luxembourg, Région Wallonne

In association with: Future Films Limited

With the participation of:         CANAL +

German distributor: X-Verleih

World Sales: PYRAMIDE

Original script:         Philippe Blasband

Authors:          Martin Herron and Philippe Blasband

Director:         Sam Garbarski

producers:

Karl Baumgartner, Thanassis Karathanos, Sébastien Delloye, Jani Thiltges, Christine Alderson

Associate Producers:         Diana Elbaum, Arlette Zylberberg

Shooting Locations: a.o. London, Yardley Hastings, Wellingborough, Pétange,

Luxembourg, Leipzig

World Premiere:         13.01.2007, 57. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, in

competition

Middle-aged Maggie must find a way to get enough money for her grandson’s lifesaving medical treatment and lift the dwindling hopes of her only son Tom and his wife Sarah. Desperation leads the respectable, middle-class widow to work as a hostess in a city sex club. Shy Maggie discovers “Sexy World” is more than just a train ride from her conservative suburb. Tough guy owner Miki, a real ladies’ man, reveals a soft spot for Maggie, and wisecracking colleague Luisa shows her the ropes. Dutiful Maggie is transformed into the much-in-demand and lucrative “Irina Palm,” courageously proving to herself that she’s not so old and useless after all. But Maggie’s double life soon attracts her son’s suspicions and the attention of gossipy neighbors’ prying eyes. As she holds her head high, Maggie just might find more than family love…

Maggie: Mariannne Faithfull

Miki: Miki Manojlovic

Tom: Kevin Bishop

Sarah: Siobhán Hewlett

Luisa: Dorka Gryllus

Jane: Jenny Agutter

Line Producer: Shu Aiello

Production Manager: Thomas Král, Haley Manning

DOP: Christophe Beaucarne

Editor: Ludo Troch

Sound: Pascal Jasmes, Thomas Gauder, Ingrid Ralet

Casting: Leo Davis, Nathanièle Esther

Music: Ghinzu

Costumes: Anushia Nieradzik

Set-Design: Véronique Sacrez

BERLINALE FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Golden Bear
Won: Audience Award

DAVID DI DONATELLO 2008 (Italy)
Won: Best European Film

GLOBO D’ORO 2008 (Italy)
Won: Best European Film

NASTRI D’ARGENTO (Italy)
Won: Best European Film

LUXEMBURGER FILMPREIS 2007
Won: Best Coproduction

EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2007
Nomination : Best Actor
Nomination : Best Actress

PRIX DES LYCEENS BELGES 2008
Won: Grand Prix

ZAGREB FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination : Golden Pram

PAMPLONA FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Reyno de Navarra Prize

TAIPEI GOLDEN FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Golden Horse Award

HAUGESUND FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Amanda Award

ESPOO CINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Melies Award and opening film

NEW HORIZONS FILM FESTIVAL 2007 (Poland)
Nomination: Grand Prix

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Chauvel Award

CINEMANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2008 (Philippines)
Nomination: Best International Film

ANTALYA EURASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2007 (Turkey)
Nomination: Golden Orange

COPENHAGEN FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination: Golden Swan

SEVILLA EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Nomination Goden Giradillo

TORINO FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Opening film

FESTIVAL DU FILM DE MONTRÉAL 2007
Official selection Out of competition

JERUSALEM FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Official selection out of competition

SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL 2007
Opening film for open-air films