Cross LA BOHÈME with CABARET, throw in a little bit of RENT, and you might almost begin to describe Baz Luhrmann's visually opulent, fast-paced, funny, heartrending MOULIN ROUGE. The film, which premiered as the opener to the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, is a musical set in 1899 Paris at the notorious Montmartre cabaret club, the Moulin Rouge. Directed by Luhrmann (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET, STRICTLY BALLROOM), the movie stars Nicole Kidman as the high-kicking courtesan, Satine; Ewan McGregor as the sensitive poet, Christian; and John Leguizamo as the flamboyant artist and matchmaker, Toulouse-Lautrec. Luhrmann's use of eclectic lighting and saturated color, the fast zooms and quick cuts of his camera, and his magnificent costumes and sets perfectly capture the excess and freneticism for which the Moulin Rouge was famous. Beautifully led by McGregor and Kidman, the flawless supporting cast brings to life the culture of belle époque Paris with magical realism. Above all, the anachronistic, energetic contemporary soundtrack is what drives MOULIN ROUGE, with popular songs by L'il Kim, Christina Aguilera, David Bowie, and Beck--as well as Kidman and McGregor adding their own superb vocals.

Theatrical Release: MAY 18, 2001 (LA/NY)
JUNE 1, 2001 (WIDE RELEASE)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - English, Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Baz Luhrmann - Director, Catherine Martin - Costume Designer, Donald McAlpine - Cinematographer
2. Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pierce - Screenwriters
Behind the Scenes

Nicole Kidman: Actress, TO DIE FOR
Ewan McGregor: Scottish, TRAINSPOTTING (1995)
John Leguizamo: American Actor/Writer
Jim Broadbent: British actor
Richard Roxburgh: Actor
Natalie Mendoza: Actress, SOUTH PACIFIC (2001), MOULIN ROUGE (2001)
Kylie Minogue: Actress/"Street Fighter"
David Wenham: 

Baz Luhrmann: Australian Director

Martin Brown: Art Director
Baz Luhrmann: Australian Director
Fred Baron: Film Producer, MOULIN ROUGE (2001)

Catherine Knapman: Film CoProducer, MOULIN ROUGE (2001)

Craig Pearce: Actor/"Vicious"
Baz Luhrmann: Australian Director

Craig Armstrong: Composer

"...Luhrmann's technique is flamboyantly operatic...[He] creates visual miracles..."
"...There are more volatile or seductive shades of red than even Toulouse-Lautrec might have dreamed of....Mr. Luhrmann has the eye of an artist..."
"...Baz Luhrmann displays often amazing resourcefulness as he mixes a multitude of film and song styles to relate his quintessential tale of la vie boheme..."
"...Spectacularly drenched in color, décor and other visual oh-la-la..."
"...Astonishing....The sweet-voiced Kidman has never been sexier....Daring..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
"...Stunning cinematic artistry....Dazzling....It is a powerful impression of Luhrmann as a technically dexterous visual virtuoso..."
"...Breathless....McGregor's wide-eyed readiness to perform is an undiluted pleasure and he is at his most charismatic here..."
"...A fever dream of musical spectacle....It showcases excellent work from co-stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor..."