International Noir: ‘Nine Queens’

Two small-time swindlers set out to scam a collector with a rare sheet of stamps called the nine queens. Nothing, however, is what it seems in this tricky Argentinian heist caper. Director Fabien Bielinsky carefully pieces together a puzzle of layered cons and mind fucks, only to grab the puzzle box, throw it against the wall, and start all over. With outstanding characterizations and a coolly efficient style, Bielinsky pulls the rug out from under viewers repeatedly — and then a trap door under the rug springs open.