Rialto Channel’s September line-up sparkles with cinematic brilliance as two unforgettable films take centre stage — both boldly distinct in style, yet united in their unflinching commitment to deeply human storytelling. From the glitter-soaked stages of Las Vegas to the smoky, melancholic bars of 1950s Mexico City, The Last Showgirl and Queer exemplify why Rialto remains Aotearoa’s home for bold, independent cinema.
The Last Showgirl – Pamela Anderson Like You’ve Never Seen Her
Pamela Anderson delivers the performance of her career in The Last Showgirl, a richly emotional character study set against the fading glamour of old Vegas. She plays Shelly, a seasoned performer who has spent 30 years as the star of “Le Razzle Dazzle,” a dazzling revue show full of sequins, feathers, and high-kicks.
But when her stage manager (Dave Bautista) announces the show’s sudden closure, Shelly finds herself facing an uncertain future in her fifties — grappling with the end of her career, unresolved regrets, and a strained relationship with her daughter (Billie Lourd).
Directed by Gia Coppola (Palo Alto, Mainstream), the film is a heartfelt homage to a disappearing era. Coppola was inspired by the spectacle and fragility of Las Vegas, a place where “consumerism and magic” collide. Screenwriter Kate Gersten drew on interviews with former showgirls and the legacy of “Jubilee!,” Vegas’s last grand revue.
Coppola knew she’d found her lead after watching Anderson’s vulnerable and self-aware 2023 Netflix documentary Pamela, A Love Story. Anderson said she connected with Shelly’s inner world deeply:
“I was so interested in Shelly’s intentions and her optimism and her confusion: ‘How could this possibly end? This is so important to the world.’”
She likened Shelly’s journey to that of an athlete, performing at the highest level until life inevitably shifts:
“It hits her all at once, and she has to decide who she’s going to be next.”
The cast also includes Jamie Lee Curtis as Annette, Shelly’s wild best friend. Curtis, fresh off her Oscar win, joined the project immediately and describes it as a meditation on ageing, resilience, and the sacrifices women make in the arts.
The Last Showgirl is a poignant and empowering tale about reinvention, legacy, and the shimmer we try to hold onto when the spotlight dims.
📺 Premieres Saturday 20 September, 8.30pm on Rialto Channel
Queer – Guadagnino’s Lyrical Take on Burroughs’ Lost Romance
If The Last Showgirl is a glittering farewell, Queer is a quiet ache — a lush, hypnotic adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ long-unpublished second novel. Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Bones and All), Queer brings tender intensity to a story of longing, identity, and missed chances.
Set in 1950s Mexico City, the film follows William Lee (Daniel Craig), a lonely American expat whose aimless life is transformed when he meets the magnetic Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a younger student whose presence awakens long-buried desires.
Working alongside screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, Guadagnino reimagines Burroughs’ unfinished manuscript into a complete emotional arc — shifting it from a tale of unrequited yearning to one of mutual discovery and emotional risk.
Daniel Craig offers a career-best performance, peeling back his trademark stoicism to reveal a man confronting his emotional isolation. Drew Starkey, handpicked by Craig, brings subtlety and curiosity to Allerton, making their dynamic all the more affecting.
Guadagnino sees the film as an answer to a question Burroughs once asked:
“How can a man who sees and feels be other than sad?”
With rich cinematography and an aching emotional core, Queer captures both the restless spirit of the Beat Generation and the timeless ache of longing — leaving a lasting impression on modern audiences.
📺 Premieres: Friday 27 September, 8:30pm on Rialto Channel
Why Rialto Channel Remains the Home of Bold Cinema
While streaming giants increasingly serve content driven by algorithms, Rialto Channel continues to handpick every film for craft, originality, and emotional truth. Films like The Last Showgirl and Queer reflect that mission — championing stories that are courageous, deeply personal, and often overlooked.
Whether it’s the glittering decline of a Vegas showgirl or the fragile intensity of queer love in a repressive era, these films refuse to compromise. They invite reflection, conversation, and empathy — the hallmarks of true arthouse cinema.
📡 Watch on Sky Channel 39 or stream via Sky Go
🎬 Uncut, commercial-free. Full schedule at rialtochannel.co.nz
This September, skip the algorithm. Embrace the art.
