He also reflects on his Red Curtain Trilogy, consisting of “Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and “Moulin Rouge,” and shares insights about his latest film, “Elvis.” Additionally, he mentions the possibility of Madonna directing her own biopic.
Faraway Downs: Baz Luhrmann has transformed his film “Australia” into an episodic saga called “Faraway Downs,” available on Hulu. He clarifies that it’s not a director’s cut but an experiment that explores the relationship between theatrical and episodic experiences. He discusses how this version allowed him to enhance the story and add a new ending.
Red Curtain Trilogy: Luhrmann’s Red Curtain Trilogy, consisting of “Strictly Ballroom,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and “Moulin Rouge,” is known for its theatrical motifs. He reflects on these films and how they explored different aspects of storytelling and theatricality.
“Strictly Ballroom”: Luhrmann’s debut film, “Strictly Ballroom,” resonated with ’90s audiences who embraced musical theater. He talks about the challenges of bringing this movie to the screen and how it celebrated theater-loving geeks.
“Romeo + Juliet”: Luhrmann discusses his unique take on “Romeo and Juliet” and how he portrayed Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo as a young, awkward character discovering love. He explains his approach to making Shakespeare’s characters relatable to a modern audience.
“Moulin Rouge”: Luhrmann’s visually stunning musical “Moulin Rouge” incorporated popular songs into the narrative. He discusses the challenges of obtaining music rights for mash-ups and the enthusiasm of musicians like Elton John and Madonna for the project.
“Elvis”: Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis” explores the life of Elvis Presley. He reflects on the film’s success and its place in the Elvis Cinematic Universe. Luhrmann mentions the importance of examining Presley’s story from various perspectives.
Madonna Biopic: Luhrmann mentions his friendship with Madonna and her plans to direct a film about her own life. He believes that Madonna deserves a compelling story and praises her influence on music and culture. Luhrmann also explains why he won’t be directing a Madonna biopic himself and the importance of creative journeys.
These insights provide a glimpse into Baz Luhrmann’s creative process and his perspective on filmmaking and storytelling.
