Plaza Theatre

1133 Kensington Road NW

Calgary

July 18, 2008, Friday 9:30 PM - 11:40 PM

July 18-19, 2008, Friday & saturday at 9:30 PM

For more information Call at 403-283-2222
Or E-mail at info@theplaza.ca

2ND ANNUAL PLAZA MIDNIGHT FILM FESTIVAL: SHOWGIRLS

Showgirls is a 1995 film directed by Paul Verhoeven starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley as a drifter who wanders into Las Vegas and climbs the social ladder from stripper to showgirl. Significant controversy and hype about the film's gratuitous amounts of sex and nudity preceded its release. In the United States, the movie was rated NC-17 for "nudity and erotic sexuality throughout, some graphic language and sexual violence." Showgirls was the first NC-17 rated film to be given a wide release in mainstream theaters.

After bombing at the box office, Showgirls enjoyed huge success on the home video market, becoming one of MGM's top 20 all-time bestsellers. For its video premiere, Verhoeven prepared an R-rated cut for rental outlets which refused to carry films with an NC-17 rating; this edited version runs 128 minutes and deletes some of the more graphic footage.

Synopsis: High-strung, statuesque Nomi Mallone (Elizabeth Berkely) is determined to be a dancer in Las Vegas, whatever it takes--but she starts out as a stripper. Through her seamstress roommate (Gina Ravera), Nomi catches the attention of the voracious bisexual Cristal (Gina Gershon), star of an...  High-strung, statuesque Nomi Mallone (Elizabeth Berkely) is determined to be a dancer in Las Vegas, whatever it takes--but she starts out as a stripper. Through her seamstress roommate (Gina Ravera), Nomi catches the attention of the voracious bisexual Cristal (Gina Gershon), star of an extravagant pagan sex show called "Goddess" which plays nightly at the swanky Stardust Casino. Through Cristal's influence, Nomi gets a chance to audition for "Goddess" and is soon involved in all sorts of sordid backstage goings-on, including bitchy dueling with Cristal over Stardust head honcho Zack (Kyle McLachlan). Maligned by many critics upon its original release, SHOWGIRLS has since become a true camp classic, revived for midnight showings and beloved for its decadence, high nudity yield, and outrageously catty dialogue (courtesy of screenwriter Joe Eszterhas). Its director is Paul Verhoeven (ROBOCOP, TOTAL RECALL), so one can safely assume SHOWGIRLS' over-the-top hostility and sexuality is meant to be a satire of American culture. One of the first big-budget Hollywood movies to be released with an NC-17 rating, its lack of box office success meant few others would have the guts to follow. More about the movie...

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Screenwriter: Joe Eszterhas
Producer: Charles Evans, Alan Marshall, Mario Kassar
Starring: Elizabeth Berkley, Gina Gershon, Kyle MacLachlan, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi