Per the recommendation of Argentines, former study-abroaders, and the Lonely Planet's top ten Argentine films list, I decided to watch Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) as part of my preparation for study abroad. This film was released in 2000 and directed by Fabián Bielinsky. We meet two con men, Marcos and Juan, who decide to pair up for the day to rob, cheat, and scam the unsuspecting people of Buenos Aires and then craft the greatest scheme of all time. I got an inside scoop into how they go about this-- confusing the counting of change at the gas station or zooming by on a motorcycle and grabbing briefcases. If you watch the movie, be sure to stick with it until the final moments--the last moment contains a key twist.
I was not expecting to like the film as much as I did. Normally, I don't like suspense, violence, or loud noises which makes most film viewings less than pleasant for me. However, Nueve Reinas didn't have violence and unrolled the other elements slowly. I also liked seeing what "real" and gritty Buenos Aires looks like and learning some new vocabulary. I'm hoping to catch a few more movies before I travel to Buenos Aires.