Nine Queens

About the film:

In Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas), director Fabián Bielinsky delivered a razorsharp confilm that weaves intrigue, moral ambiguity, and one of the most satisfying twists in modern Argentine cinema. We celebratee its 25th anniversary with a special screening of this multi award-winning film that received among other the Audience Award at the 2001 edition of Film fra Sør.

Set in the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, the story begins with Juan, a young, scrappy con artist with debts and a desperate plan to raise money for his father’s legal troubles. When he tries a petty scam at an allnight convenience store, he’s caught — only to be rescued by Marcos, an older, more polished grifter who poses as a cop.

The pair team up after Marcos presents Juan with a huge opportunity: to help sell a rare sheet of stamps known as the “Nine Queens,” allegedly counterfeit, to a wealthy foreign collector who has little time for due diligence.

Stylistically elegant and full of tension, Nine Queens is more than just a clever thriller: it asks what trust means among thieves, how desperation shapes ethics, and how layered our illusions of control really are. With standout performances by Ricardo Darín and Gastón Pauls, Bielinsky’s film remains a touchstone of Argentine cinema — clever, unpredictable, and deeply human.

About the festival:

ESCENA. Oslo Ibero-amerikanske filmdager is a platform for cultural exchange between Norway and the Ibero-American region.

The aim of the festival is to promote the interest in film from the Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations of Europe and the Americas and showcase the vibrant film expressions of these nations.

The films convey social, political, and historical aspects of this cultural context as well as the challenges currently facing the societies of the region. Even though these nations share a common cultural mainstream; they form a rich tapestry of diverse backgrounds that translate into their cinematic expression.

ESCENA also provides a gathering place and discussion forum for film enthusiasts, for those with roots in the region and others who have an interest in Ibero-America.