Baz Lurhmann

Baz Lurhmann is one of the most successful Australian directors. He also specialises in screenwriter and producing. He is very well known for his 'The red curtain trilogy', these include of strictly ballroom which was released in 1992, followed by the modern interpreted version of Romeo and Juliet, which came out in 1996 , and lastly Moulin Rouge which was released in 2001.

The modern interpretation of the film Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, was nominated, ALFS Award, Director of the Year in 1998, also the film had won the BAFTAs for best direction, music, and screen play, which defeated the film Titanic. During the success of the film, Lurhmann produced complimenting soundtrack which fits the film, selling 8 million copies worldwide.

In 2001, the film Moulin Rouge was titled one of the AFI's top ten films, creating a great achievement for Lurhmann, following in 2010 was then the film was chosen for the top films in the 2000 decade. The film also had a great soundtrack album, selling more than seven million copies, which then lead on to the Grammy-winning number one hit single, Lady Marmalade.

Lurhmann's romance hit film 'Australia' starring Nicole Kidman and Huge Jackman, achieving moderate box office in the United States, and highly successful in Europe, maintaining a steady number one slot in France, Italy, Germany, and Spain and the Scandinavian countries for many weeks. In 2009 ‘Australia’ was nominated for FCCF award for best film. It was also the second-highest grossing Australian film alongside the film 'Crocodile Dundee' and go ahead of the film 'Happy Feet'.

His latest project includes of an adaptation of the novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald film ' The Great Gatsby, shot in 3D, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Amitabh Bachchan, and Carey Mulligan.The influence behind his films has a lot to do with his past and his family background, a large impact was caused by his parents as they did a lot of Ballroom dance and then then later led on to him doing ballroom dancing himself, which was taught by his mother, so a lot of the themes in some of these films has a lot to with background of ballroom dancing. Italian grand opera and other theatrical styles such as Bollywood films was another major influence on Lurhmann’s work which had a large impact on his style as well. Lurhmann’s favorite films included of Star 80 and War and Peace, and Medium Cool, which all had impact on his style of work, in many ways such as creating romance, cultural or even creating films in different languages or war related.