Genre
- tragicomedy
Countries of Production
- Germany / Belgium / Luxembourg / France / United Kingdom
Language
- English (OV)
World premiere
- 13th February 2007 – IFF Berlin
German cinema release
- 18th April 2007
a production by
- Pallas Film, Entre Chien et Loup, Samsa Film, Ipso Facto Films
in co-production with
- Liaison Cinématographique, Ateliers de Baere, R.T.B.F. (Télévision belge)
in association with
- Future Films Limited
with the support of
- 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, CANAL+
World Sales
- PYRAMIDE
Distribution
- X-Verleih
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
Written by
- Martin Herron, Philippe Blasband
Directed by
- Sam Garbarski
Producers
- Karl Baumgartner, Thanassis Karathanos, Sébastien Delloye, Jani Thiltges, Christine Alderson
Director of photography
- Christophe Beaucarne
Editor
- Ludo Troch
Set design
Casting
- Leo Davis, Nathanièle Esther
Music
- Ghinzu
Original script
- Philippe Blasband
Line Producer
- Shu Aiello
Production Manager
- Thomas Král, Haley Manning
Location Sound Recordist
- Pascal Jasmes, Thomas Gauder, Ingrid Ralet
Costumes
- Anushia Nieradzik
- European Film Awards – Nominated: Best Actor/Best Actress
- Zagreb FF – Nominated: Golden Pram
- Pamplona FF – Nominated: Reyno de Navarra Prize
- Taipei Golden FF – Nominated: Golden Horse Award
- Haugesund FF – Nominated: Amanda Award
- Espoo Cine IFF – Nominated: Melies Award and opening film
- New Horizons FF (Polen) – Nominated: Grand Prix
- Brisbane IFF 2007 – Nominated: Chauvel Award
- CIinemanila IFF (Philippines) – Nominated: Best International Film
- Antalya Eurasia IFF (Turkey) – Nominated: Golden Orange
- Copenhagen FF – Nominated: Golden Swan
- Sevilla European FF – Nominated: Golden Giradillo
- Torino FF – Opening Film
- Montreal Film Festival – Official Selection, Out of Competition
- Jerusalem FF – Official Selection, Out of Competition
- Sarajevo FF – Opening Film Open-Air Films
- Audience Award / IFF Berlin – Nominated for Golden Bear
- Best European Film / David di Donatello (Italy)
- Best European Film / Globo d'Oro 2008 (Italy)
- Best European Film / Nastri d'Argento (Italy)
- Best Co-Production / Luxembourg Film Prize
- Grand Prix / Prix des Lycéens Belges
