Showgirls: From Cult to Classic: ‘90s on Film

In Las Vegas stardom can be found…at a price. Nomi Malone is willing to pay that price when she drifts into town and becomes an exotic dancer in the seedy back room of the Cheetah Club. Here, she is discovered by Cristal, star of the biggest, brashest and sexist show in Vegas. With the help of Cristal’s lover Zack, Nomi is given the chance to fulfil her wildest dreams. But, in a world riddled with lust and jealousy, she soon discovers that fame and fortune can come at a cost. 

Panned by critics when it was originally released and a failure at the box office, SHOWGIRLS has gone on to become a major cult movie, with viewers appreciating Paul Verhoeven’s hyperbolic approach to the material and recognising the film as a damning indictment of the pitfalls of fame and fortune in the American entertainment industry. Originally banned from Irish cinemas, do not miss this opportunity of experiencing SHOWGIRLS on the big screen (to mark its 30th anniversary).

“SHOWGIRLS is truly one of the only ’90s films that treats pop culture as a vibrant field of social economics and cerebral pursuit.” Slant 

From Cult to Classic: ‘90s on Film Season 

Throughout the month of June, Triskel Arts Centre presents a selection of notable films from the ‘90s, both bonafide classics as well as movies that developed a following as the years progressed. There’s the epic heist thriller HEAT starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro; the wonderfully quirky Australian comedy MURIEL’S WEDDING which introduced the world to Toni Collette; Paul Verhoeven’s hyperbolic SHOWGIRLS which was a flop back in 1995 but has since become a hugely popular cult movie; the angry French social drama LA HAINE starring Vincent Cassel; and Oliver Stone’s acclaimed music biopic THE DOORS, which will be screened as a tribute to its late star Val Kilmer.