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May
2010
30 May
2010
'Baz Luhrmann'
- The Book
I am very excited to announce that a new
book has recently been published dedicated exclusively
to Baz Luhrmann and his incredible works. Pam Cook has
written "the first major book-length study" of Luhrmann
after being given unprecedented access to his private
archives, as well as conducting in-depth interviews with
Luhrmann and CM. The book is available to buy through
Palgrave Macmillan -
click here to order your copy now! :)
I am currently in the process of
obtaining a copy of the book so that I can write a
detailed review.
Hopefully, I will be able to get hold of a copy soon, as
I am very much looking forward to reading this book and
writing about it right here on my website.
The description of the book on the
Palgrave Macmillan website is as follows:
This is the first
major book-length study of the work of Australian
film-maker Baz Luhrmann, one of the most exciting and
controversial personalities working in World Cinema
today. Luhrmann's reputation as an innovator rests on
the evidence of the three films known as the Red Curtain
Trilogy: Strictly Ballroom (1992), William
Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996) and Moulin
Rouge! (2001), which together demonstrate the
development of a highly distinctive style and brand.
Pam Cook, who was given unprecedented access to the
Luhrmann private archives, explores the genesis of the
Red Curtain aesthetic, from Luhrmann's early experience
in theatre and opera to his collaborative working
methods and unique production set-up. Drawing on
in-depth interviews with Luhrmann and his chief
collaborator, designer Catherine Martin, she traces the
roots of their work in an increasingly globalised
Australian film culture, investigating the relationship
of their company Bazmark to the Hollywood studio
Twentieth Century-Fox, and the influences on their style
and production methods. At the book's heart are
substantial analyses of the spectacular Red Curtain
films and the historical epic Australia (2008).
This lively and original study of one of contemporary
cinema's most fascinating figures will appeal to film
scholars, cultural historians and Luhrmann enthusiasts
alike.
'The Creek,
1977'
Baz Luhrmann and Vincent Fantauzzo have
teamed up again to share their impressive artistic
talents. Last week in Hong Kong, they unveiled a
multi-media installation piece entitled 'The Creek,
1977'. The project has been showcased at the 10 Chancery
Lane Gallery stand at ART HK 10, the Hong Kong
International Art Fair. The work is based on a childhood
memory of Luhrmann's from growing up in the tiny town of
Herons Creek in rural Australia. At the centre of the
project is a painting depicting the aftermath of a car
accident in a rural Australian town in the 1970's. The
two artists collaborated on the story, then set up an
elaborate photo shoot starring actors and themselves -
Fantauzzo as a mysterious drifter who arrives in town,
and Luhrmann as a local gas-station owner (perhaps in
reference to his father owning a gas station when he was
growing up?) Fantauzzo then used the photos to sketch
and render the oil-on-linen painting. At the Hong Kong
Art Fair, the piece has been set
up in a dark, narrow, candlelit room adorned with photos
from Luhrmann's childhood. An audio clip of a car crash
completes the full sensory experience. The
Associated Press reported the following:
Luhrmann tackles installation
in break from movies
HONG KONG — Taking a break from movies, "Moulin Rouge"
director Baz Luhrmann on Wednesday unveiled a multimedia
installation in Hong Kong that he says explores the
narrative potential of paintings. "The Creek," a
collaboration with painter Vincent Fantauzzo, centers on
a large oil painting showing rescue efforts for a car
that has veered off a bridge. The painting is placed in
a narrow dark room decorated with candles and
photographs from Luhrmann's childhood in rural
Australia. An audio clip of a car crash plays in the
background. "I am fascinated with how in classical art
narrative is dealt with," Luhrmann told reporters on the
sidelines of the Hong Kong International Art Fair, where
his piece is being displayed. "The cathedrals of the
17th century were sort of the cineplexes of their time.
The audience went into a darkened room. They
contemplated a painting. And in that painting ... they
had their own cinematic experience. They had their own
narrative experience," the director said. Known for his
flashy visuals and lavish set designs, Luhrmann's
credits also include "Strictly Ballroom," "William
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet" and "Australia."
Luhrmann said he hasn't decided on his next project and
is currently choosing between three movie projects and
two stage productions, including a possible adaptation
of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel "The Great Gatsby."
Bazmark has also created an excellent
interactive
website dedicated to 'The Creek, 1977', which
includes a detailed section about the painting. Also on
the website, the artists invite us to provide feedback
about the painting by answering three questions:
-
"What do you feel the story is about?"
-
"What happens next?", and
-
"How does the scene make you feel?"
There are no predetermined answers - the aim is to
provide feedback about your individual experience when
viewing the painting. It seems I was the first to post
my feedback, and my comments are now available to view
on the website. I strongly encourage Luhrmann and
Fantauzzo fans to check out the powerful image and post
some comments of your own.
In addition to showcasing 'The Creek,
1977', according to
DNA India, Luhrmann and Fantauzzo have also been
auctioning some of their artwork at the Hong Kong Art
Fair in order to raise money for children in India,
including a portrait of Indian superstar, Amitabh
Bachchan. DNA reported:
...Baz has now
decided to take his art and his cause Arthk10, Asia’s
leading art fair, to Hong Kong. He will be auctioning
his artwork and the money raised from the sale proceeds
will be donated for the cause of specially-abled
children in India through an organisation based in
Mumbai. Of all the artworks, the most prominent one is a
portrait of Amitabh Bachchan that Baz had made when he
visited the star in Mumbai. Baz's spokesperson says, “In
India they (Baz and Vincent) met Mr Amitabh Bachchan.
Here, they will be revealing the Fantauzzo/Luhrmann
collaborated portrait of Mr Bachchan for the first time
as part of the installation. Their (Baz and Vincent's)
work will be presented at this year’s Arthk10, on till
May 30.
India Times also provided a picture of the
Bachchan artwork (above) and reported the following
quotes from Luhrmann and Fantauzzo:
[Luhrmann said,]
"Vincent’s portraiture tends to be about reflecting
iconic people in different stages of their career. Amitabh Bachchan, in my opinion, is probably a greater
force than any Hollywood actor has ever been. I was
struck by his level of peace and spirituality." Vincent
added, "He’s more that just an actor — to a lot of
people, he's a leader and someone of influence. He has a
responsibility to those that worship him as this icon." Baz plans to showcase paintings of other Bollywood
actors including Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan at a
later date at art fairs in LA and other locations.
The news that more paintings will be showcased at a
later date is very exciting, and I am looking forward to
checking out more of Luhrmann and Fantauzzo's
collaborative works in the future! Of course, I will
post information about any future showcases right here. Also, remember to check
out Vincent Fantauzzo's excellent official
website
for more news and photos, including images of his
previous works.
23 May
2010
'Australia'
Wikipedia Page
It has recently been brought to my
attention that Baz Luhrmann's Australia has its
own page on
Wikipedia. I think the author of the page has
done a great job in compiling an overall summary of the
journey of the film. There are also links to a lot of
insightful references, as well as snippets from
positive, neutral and negative reviews and an overview
of award nominations.
The Wikipedia page reports that
Australia was a box office success
worldwide, despite disappointing sales in the US. Australia set the record for
the highest grossing opening weekend for an Australian
film, and also opened at number 1 in Spain, France and
Germany, as well as number 3 in Britain. The DVD also
sold double what the studio expected in Australia.
The Wikipedia page makes for interesting reading and summarises a lot
of key information regarding Luhrmann's latest movie.
For further information about the film, also remember to
check out my Australia
section.
Craig Pearce
and John Leguizamo Updates
Craig Pearce, who co-wrote the Red
Curtain Trilogy with Baz Luhrmann, has written a script
for a sequel to the 80s cult classic film, The Dark
Crystal. For more information, check out
Empire Online.
Also, following up from my last news update, John Leguizamo, who played
Toulouse Lautrec in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin
Rouge! and Tybalt Capulet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo
+ Juliet, was honoured earlier this month. Check out
Theater Mania for photos and news from the
event.
1 May
2010
Baz Luhrmann
to honour John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo, who played
Toulouse Lautrec in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin
Rouge! and Tybalt Capulet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo
+ Juliet, will be honoured at Performance Space
122's annual spring gala in New York on 4 May 2010.
Lequizamo's Romeo + Juliet co-star, Clare Danes,
along with Baz Luhrmann himself, will be the honorary
chairs of the event. However,
Theater
Mania has reported that Luhrmann will give his
presentation via video, which implies he will not
actually be in attendance on the night. The event is
being billed as "An evening to honor John Leguizamo for
his significant contributions to the world of
performance and his rich history with Performance Space
122." Tickets are available through the PS 122
website.
Caroline
O'Connor: A Musical Life
On the other side of the world,
Australian Moulin Rouge! fans will have the
opportunity to
see another star of Baz Luhrmann's film. Caroline O'Connor (who
played Nini 'Legs in the Air' in Moulin Rouge!) will be performing at the Noosa Longweekend
Festival on 20 June 2010. Her stunning cabaret
show, A Musical Life, "will bring her
intoxicating blend of rich vocals and bewitching tales
to berardo’s in this rare and intimate night of
unforgettable cabaret".
Click here for more details.
Caroline O'Connor will also be performing A Musical
Life on 25 and 26 June at the Dunstan Playhouse in
Adelaide as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
website features a video of one of her vibrant songs
and describes her show as follows:
International
star of stage and screen
“She’s knocked audiences from Broadway to London’s West
End for six with her own brand of musical theatre
razzamatazz.” The Sunday Times (Perth).
Following sold-out performances at New York’s famous
Birdland jazz club, Caroline O’Connor brings her
intoxicating blend of rich vocals and bewitching tales
back to the Adelaide stage. Having come to the attention
of movie audiences in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge and
the Cole Porter bio-pic, De-Lovely, Caroline is now one
of the world’s most sought-after musical theatre
performers. Featuring musical theatre classics by
legends like Kander and Ebb, Jerry Herman, Stephen
Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, Caroline’s show pays
homage to some of the inspirational ladies of song
including Judy Garland, Edith Piaf, Ethel Merman and
more. Guaranteed to bring the house down every night.
www.carolineoconnor.com
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