Irina Palm

Irina Palm

Year: 2008

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Sam Garbarski

Drama

A middle-aged widow’s determination to secure her grandson's medical treatment leads her into an unexpected and challenging situation. Forced to work at a seedy sex club, Maggie confronts her own vulnerability and must adapt to a world vastly different from her own. Along the way, she finds an unexpected connection with someone and discovers a resilience she never knew she possessed, ultimately redefining her sense of self.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Irina Palm (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Irina Palm (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events in 'Irina Palm' unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting current societal challenges related to healthcare and personal sacrifice. It highlights the urgency of a family's struggle to access medical treatment and the lengths one might go to in the face of despair.

Location

Soho, Sydney, Australia

Soho is a vibrant district in London known for its bustling nightlife and eclectic atmosphere. It's filled with pubs, clubs, and restaurants, making it a hub for entertainment and culture. Sydney, Australia, is a major city known for its iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and its beautiful beaches, serving as a backdrop for the pivotal treatment that drives Maggie's quest.

🏙️ City 🌏 Australia

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:31

Main Characters – Irina Palm (2008)

Meet the key characters of Irina Palm (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Maggie (played by Marianne Faithfull)

Maggie is a complex character embodying resilience and desperation. Initially timid and sheltered, she evolves into a determined woman willing to face the unthinkable for her ill grandson. Her journey tests her morals and emotional strength as she navigates the darker paths of survival, leading her to defy societal expectations for the sake of family.

👵 Elderly 💪 Resilience 👩‍👦 Family

Ollie (played by Corey Burke)

Ollie serves as the emotional catalyst for Maggie's drastic decisions throughout the film. His illness creates a push-and-pull dynamic in the story, representing innocence and the hope for recovery. His condition magnifies the sacrifices his grandmother makes, highlighting the inseparable bond between them.

👶 Illness ❤️ Family Bond

Miki (played by Miki Manojlovic)

Miki is the owner of the pub and represents the morally ambiguous world that Maggie enters. Charismatic yet manipulative, he embodies both an ally and antagonist in Maggie's journey. His influence pushes Maggie into a corner, illustrating the often self-serving nature of those who thrive in desperate situations.

🧑‍💼 Manipulative 🔄 Antagonist

Luisa (played by Dorka Gryllus)

Luisa acts as a mentor figure for Maggie, introducing her to the harsh realities of her new job. She represents the women who navigate this world with a mixture of resilience and pragmatism. Her eventual departure from the pub serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of camaraderie in dire times.

👩‍🏫 Mentor 🌹 Resilience

Tom (played by Kevin Bishop)

Tom is Maggie's son, caught in the turmoil of familial loyalty and concern for his mother's wellbeing. His initial ignorance to Maggie's actions showcases a familial rift that grows throughout the film. Ultimately, his journey is about understanding and reconciling the complexities of love and sacrifice.

👨‍👦 Son 💔 Conflict

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:31

Major Themes – Irina Palm (2008)

Explore the central themes of Irina Palm (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Sacrifice

The theme of sacrifice is central to Maggie's story as she is willing to compromise her own morals and health for her grandson's wellbeing. Her journey highlights the complexities of familial love, where the desire to save a loved one can lead to desperate decisions. The emotional weight of her choices reverberates through her relationships, ultimately redefining what it means to care for family.

🏦 Desperation

Desperation drives Maggie into the depths of an underground world, showcasing how financial strain can lead individuals to compromise their values. It explores the lengths to which a person will go when faced with impending loss, emphasizing the societal pressures that push people towards extreme measures for survival.

🤝 Community

Though Maggie's journey begins with isolation, she eventually finds a sense of community among her co-workers at Sexy World. Their shared experiences create bonds that highlight the different forms of support people can find in unexpected places. This theme underscores the importance of companionship in navigating difficult circumstances.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:31

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies About Desperate Moral Compromises for Family Like Irina Palm

Ordinary characters pushed to extreme limits by love and desperation.This collection features movies like 'Irina Palm' where protagonists face severe moral dilemmas and life-altering choices driven by familial love and desperation. If you were moved by Maggie's sacrifice, these similar drama stories about financial hardship and secret lives will resonate deeply.

desperatesacrificialuncomfortableresilientshamefulhopefulheartbreaking

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear, cause-and-effect structure where an inciting crisis—often a financial or medical emergency—forces a principled protagonist into a secret, uncomfortable world. The core conflict is internal, pitting their established morals against the overwhelming need to save a loved one, leading to a journey of adaptation, shame, and ultimately, a redefined sense of self.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a heavy emotional weight centered on profound sacrifice. They feature a consistent bittersweet tone, steady pacing that focuses on character development, and a thematic focus on the intersection of love, desperation, and moral compromise.

Bittersweet Journeys of Late-Life Self-Discovery Like in Irina Palm

Finding unexpected strength and a new identity in life's second act.Discover movies similar to 'Irina Palm' that follow older characters on unexpected, transformative paths. If you appreciated Maggie's resilient and bittersweet journey to self-discovery, these films about unlikely friendships and finding strength in vulnerability will capture the same vibe.

resilientunlikely journeyisolatedhopefulempoweringvulnerablereflective

Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a protagonist, typically in their later years, whose quiet life is disrupted by a pivotal need. This forces them into an alien environment where they must adapt and overcome personal fears. The plot is a straightforward character study, charting their journey from vulnerability to a newfound, often unorthodox, resilience and a more complex understanding of their own identity.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific emotional mix: a bittersweet tone, a steady pacing that allows for deep character reflection, and a focus on the theme of self-reinvention later in life. They connect through the relatable and poignant journey of an underdog discovering untapped strength.

Unlock the Full Story of Irina Palm

Don't stop at just watching — explore Irina Palm in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Irina Palm is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Irina Palm Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Irina Palm, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Irina Palm Summary

Irina Palm Timeline

Track the full timeline of Irina Palm with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Irina Palm Timeline

Irina Palm Spoiler-Free Summary

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Irina Palm Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Irina Palm

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Irina Palm: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Irina Palm

Similar Movies to Irina Palm

Discover movies like Irina Palm that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.