JIM Reviews film "PALOMA DELIGHT" [ + tells of FREE 7-15-09 movie ]

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“PALOMA DELIGHT” – Do Scammers always get away with it? =

Rating: 8 of 10 stars [+ info on the FREE 7-15 movie in Chicago ] Once again, there was a [more than] “FULL” house for the free Wednesday movie hosted by the Chicago Int’l Film Festival at Chicago’s Cultural Center.

“PALOMA DELIGHT” is a cleverly-done, very well-acted FRENCH – ALGERIAN film about a lady con artist Aldgeria (BAYOUNA) who is willing to do almost anything to get money to fulfill her dream of buying a hot-springs spa. She recruits women (including “Paloma”) to be “ESCORTS”, including a scam to try to seduce a theater owner so the wife can divorce him & gain control of the theater. Her bird-loving son (DANIEL LUNDH) is a reluctant accomplice in her schemes, and various women initially support & work for her to achieve their own agendas. The story is told mostly in the form of flashback (since BAYOUNA is just getting out of JAIL for a failed intrigue when the film starts). There’s a fascinating weaving of various plots as people move in, out & back in her scheming orbit of swindles as they all try to survive in an increasingly difficult situation.

[ The free film at 6:30 PM on 7-15-09 is a GERMAN release called “EMMA’S BLISS”, about a rural pig-breeder lady who becomes attracted to an urban car-dealer guy who crashes near her farm. It’s described as a parable exploring “the limits of life, love, and mortality”. Best to arrive EARLY to get a seat!… ]