0109

The female dancers finally emerge through the explosions. Our camera gaze follows one of them as we search for a protagonist, or perhaps an antagonist. Nomi could be any of them, their golden outfits already matching her hair. Someone needs to stand out soon.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0108

The heart-shaped fire splits the two lovers as they fall onto the lava floor. I’m not sure what show she is watching, but I like that she is already thinking about dualities and mirroring in gay relationships specifically. Nomi, you have a fascinating mind.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0107

Some days you feel like running into the fire. Other days, as if you cannot escape the explosion. Loops work like a glass half full or half empty. After a while, all I see is two men becoming one in front of a golden sun. The sexiest shot so far.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0106

And we are seeing through Nomi’s eyes, watching men in gold pants jumping over lava. Could be someone’s dream. All those long shots backstage lead us to this warm palette that somehow still reminds me of Nomi.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0105

I am not particularly interested in Vegas dance productions, but the camera has convinced me that Nomi is, and I am along for the ride. Let’s brace ourselves for a dance scene. It will take more than a month.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0104

Tension builds as we discover the location in one shot, rather than cutting around action. The camera follows flowers, looks and pointing, leading us through glimpses of what awaits. Every movement feeds our anticipation. It is almost showtime!

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0101

Time is malleable in film, stretched and condensed at will. We skip the in-between, the dead time of getting ready. To quote a wise man: “Time? What the hell do you know about time? Ask me about time. Ask ME!”

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley #CraigToomey

0100

The excitement takes over, but the camera was always waiting for it. Not because of rehearsals or the director’s instructions, but because it could anticipate Nomi’s restless energy. We stand up with her, hair up, ready to go.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0099

How much acceptance does one need, from friends, parents, lovers? Unconditional approval never leads to anything good. We (and Nomi) need to feel challenged, or we risk falling from grace.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0098

The loop refuses to settle on one answer: Don’t you have a better one? The fringe one is a bit inappropriate for the occasion. Don’t you ever blink? Not the fringe one, please. Whatever, wear what you want, I don’t care. Take a coat with you.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0097

The film is not making the easy choices here. Instead of a hard cut, we go deeper into the girl talk, into intimacy. We understand how quickly their friendship has become a support system: one needs somewhere to belong, the other someone to care for.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0096

Burning questions that haunt my daily life: What am I going to wear? All that separates us from our best potential is the right outfit. Surely this revelation can only lead to Nomi in a beautiful dress.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0095

A piercing insight into the mysteries of female friendship. “Oh yeah, they do their nails.” Joe Eszterhas lights up and retypes the scene. But nobody would be jealous of those nails. Is she a bad friend or has she just misjudged Vegas?

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0094

I can’t decide if this is meant as a return to childhood for the female leads or simply the male view of women. Is there a pillow fight incoming? Psychotically trapped in a tickle loop is the feeling today.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0093

The camera moves in to join the fun, fully aware of the Andrew Carver poster in the background. The production design department is setting us up. Nothing is innocent.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0092

Observe the contrast of their hairstyles, practical lights on a bright day, the glint in the eye. This is by-the-book teen-movie language: friendship, snacks and a safe place before the adult world intrudes.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0091

Oh no! We enter a shot/reverse shot discussion about chips! Surely there is a purpose: establish friendship and the placeholder girly chat so it contrasts the adult nights to follow. This could well be for mood but it's hard to watch in this looping format.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls

0090

This is our first dance. Her body stretches to pick up the remote and turn off the music. This is a playground, and the camera is happy to roll around with the same enthusiasm. Verhoeven’s instruction must be: move like a child.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0089

Sometimes in films you are confronted with your own subjectivity. Although most Hollywood mechanics help you abandon yourself, a form of escapism, sometimes you are pulled back by the clarity of taste. I don’t like her nails. She can do better.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley

0088

Like a witch conjuring a spell that demands attention, and it succeeds. Through her nails, the caster can read inner thoughts and memories. We get her reaction before seeing the nail design, or the witch would read us too. We are next.

#ShowgirlsAShotADay #Showgirls #Elizabethberkley