Premiere - The Last Showgirl : Paris Celebrates Pamela Anderson’s Poignant Performance

By Mulder, Paris, MK2 Bibliothèque, 18 february 2025

On the evening of February 18, 2025, The Last Showgirl had its much-anticipated Paris premiere at the MK2 Bibliothèque cinema, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of cinephiles, critics, and devoted fans of Pamela Anderson. The screening was followed by an intimate 20-minute Q&A session with Pamala Anderson herself, where she reflected on her journey portraying Shelly, a seasoned Las Vegas showgirl grappling with the next chapter of her life. The event marked another milestone for the film, which has been captivating audiences since its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 6, 2024. Having already received critical acclaim and securing major award nominations, The Last Showgirl is shaping up to be one of the year’s most compelling dramas.

Pamela Anderson, best known for her career as an actress, model, and pop culture icon, delivers a performance unlike any she has given before. Over the years, Pamala Anderson has been a figure both celebrated and scrutinized by the public eye, but The Last Showgirl has allowed her to redefine her artistic legacy. Her portrayal of Shelly has earned widespread praise, with critics noting her ability to convey deep vulnerability and quiet strength in a role that echoes themes of reinvention and resilience. Pamala Anderson’s commitment to the project stemmed from a deep personal connection to the film’s themes. The actress, who made a surprising yet successful transition to Broadway in 2022 with her performance as Roxie Hart in Chicago, has been vocal about her desire to challenge herself creatively. Her role in The Last Showgirl is already being heralded as the most significant of her career, leading to nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Directed by Gia Coppola, The Last Showgirl is an emotionally rich drama that examines the passage of time and the challenges of staying relevant in a changing industry. The film follows Shelly, a Las Vegas showgirl who has dedicated over three decades to her craft. When the revue she has been headlining for years suddenly closes, she is faced with an uncertain future, struggling to redefine her career while also attempting to mend her strained relationship with her daughter.

The screenplay, written by Kate Gersten and adapted from her unperformed play Body of Work, was inspired by the real-life closure of the famous Jubilee! show in Las Vegas in 2016. Gersten wanted to capture the raw emotions of performers whose careers have been shaped by a world that often discards experience in favor of youth. Coppola, known for her intimate, character-driven storytelling, opted for a modest budget and an 18-day shoot in Las Vegas to maintain artistic control. She brought back cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who previously collaborated with her on Palo Alto and Mainstream, to create a visually rich yet authentic portrayal of Las Vegas, opting for handheld 16mm cinematography that adds a documentary-like realism to the film.

The journey to bringing The Last Showgirl to life was not without challenges. Gia Coppola had envisioned Pamela Anderson in the lead role from the start, having been deeply moved by her 2023 Netflix documentary Pamela, a Love Story. However, when she initially sent the script to Anderson’s agent, it was dismissed within an hour, and Anderson herself never saw it.

Determined to get the script into Anderson’s hands, Gia Coppola took an unconventional route, passing it along through Anderson’s son, Brandon Thomas Lee. After reading it, Pamela Anderson was immediately drawn to the character of Shelly, seeing parallels between the role and her own experiences in the entertainment industry. Once she was on board, other key cast members quickly followed suit. Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays a crucial supporting role, signed on as soon as she learned Anderson was involved. Similarly, Dave Bautista was always Coppola’s first choice for his role, having expressed a desire for more dramatic, character-driven projects. The film’s production sought to preserve authenticity, with Coppola enlisting designers to use actual archival showgirl costumes by Peter Menefee and Bob Mackie, some of which had originally been worn in Jubilee! performances. This attention to detail ensured that The Last Showgirl felt as immersive and genuine as possible.

Music plays an essential role in The Last Showgirl, with a score composed by Andrew Wyatt. The film’s lead song, Beautiful That Way, was co-written and performed by Miley Cyrus alongside Wyatt and Lykke Li. Released as a single in December 2024, the track quickly gained popularity, adding emotional depth to the film’s most poignant moments. Unlike many Las Vegas-set movies that focus on glitz and excess, Coppola and Durald Arkapaw drew inspiration from documentary photography and the work of art critic Dave Hickey. Their approach emphasizes the real-life struggles of performers rather than idealized Hollywood glamour.

Since its premiere at TIFF, The Last Showgirl has been a prominent presence on the festival circuit, making waves at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and securing distribution deals worldwide. Roadside Attractions acquired the U.S. distribution rights, while Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions secured rights for territories such as France, Latin America, Scandinavia, Greece, and Asia. Following a limited one-week Oscar-qualifying run in Los Angeles in December 2024, the film officially opened in select U.S. theaters on January 10, 2025. Though its initial Chinese Theatre premiere was canceled due to the Los Angeles fires, this did not hinder its momentum. The film’s next major release will be in France on March 12, 2025, where anticipation continues to grow.

At its core, The Last Showgirl is a film about resilience, reinvention, and the search for identity in an ever-evolving world. Shelly’s story resonates with anyone who has ever faced a turning point in their career or personal life. The film’s universal themes, coupled with Pamela Anderson’s revelatory performance, ensure that it will be remembered as one of the most poignant dramas of the year. As The Last Showgirl continues to captivate audiences, it serves as both a love letter to veteran artists and a reminder that second acts in life are always possible. With its masterful storytelling, stunning cinematography, and powerhouse performances, The Last Showgirl stands as a defining film for both Pamela Anderson and Gia Coppola, proving that stories of reinvention will always have a place in cinema. With its Paris premiere marking yet another high point in its journey, The Last Showgirl is set to leave a lasting impact as it makes its way to wider audiences around the world.

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Synopsis : 
Shelly, an experienced cabaret dancer, must face up to her future when her Las Vegas show is abruptly interrupted after 30 years of performance. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles to find the next step in her career. And as a mother, she seeks to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who has often taken a back seat to her artistic family.

The Last Showgirl
Directed by Gia Coppola
Written by Kate Gersten
Based on Body of Work by Kate Gersten
Produced by Robert Schwartzman, Natalie Farrey, Gia Coppola
Starring  Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka
Cinematography : Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Edited by Blair McClendon, Cam McLauchlin
Music by Andrew Wyatt
Production companies : Utopia, High Frequency Entertainment, Pinky Promise, Digital Ignition Entertainment
Distributed by Roadside Attractions (United States), Sony Pictures Releasing France (France)
Release dates : September 6, 2024 (TIFF), December 13, 2024 (United States), March 12, 2025 (France)
Running time : 89 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville