30th Anniversary Film Festival: Leaving Las Vegas (18)

18th July 2025 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

1995 – Leaving Las Vegas (18)

We open the festival with a film which grossed $50 million worldwide, making it a box office success, especially considering its budget of $4 million.

Nicholas Cage won the Oscar for Best Lead Actor.Elisabeth Shue (Best Lead Actress) and Mike Figgis (Director and Screenplay) were nominated at the Oscars.

Adapted from the novel by John O'Brien, this acclaimed drama follows alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) as he drinks himself into oblivion in Las Vegas. When Ben meets the beautiful prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), they strike up an unconventional relationship — one where she can't ask him to curb his drinking, and he can't fault her for her job. Though they offer each other support.But how will it work out?

Starring Nicholas Cage; Elisabeth Shue; Julian Sands; Richard Lewis

Directed by Mike Figgis

Running Time 112 minutes

Local Link

Mike Figgis – the director – was born in Carlisle