The time has come! Here is the EXCLUSIVE 'interview' that Baz Luhrmann so graciously took time out, whilst holidaying overseas no less...to answer some questions from you, the fans!
Not a lot of people will understand just quite what this means to me and more importantly to "us". I think I speak on behalf of the entire community when I say THANK YOU so much to all of Bazmark for being so co-operative with this fan based community, and thank you to Baz for his recognition of our community and efforts.
It's hard to believe that it's only been three years with everyone at this messageboard. We speak daily, have a blast, accomplish great feats and really are a family in a true sense of the word. The following Q&A is Baz's birthday present to us...
Hi Baz,
We really appreciate you spending a few moments of your valuable time to answer these questions from our message board members.
It's been three years since our Moulin Rouge message board first began, shortly after the film's release. Since then it's spurred endless creativity, discussion and a great group of friends. We'd like to thank you for creating a film that brings us all together and reminds us that a great
work of art doesn't have to end once you leave the theatre.
Like Star Trek nerds who want to know the motivation for the 6th extra in episode 411, we too have our idiosyncratic questions; we're hoping you can shed some light on them.
Send our love and wishes to CM and Lillian,
Your loyal subjects in waiting (and eager extras for Alexander The Great),
The Spectacular! Spectacular! message board.
#1 Q) First and foremost, we'll get the strange one out of the way... When the bohemians are gathered in Toulouse's studio, and Christian is with them for the first time, they are spouting out suggestions for song lyrics. During this Satie shouts out, "Frank is living in my foot!" Was this scripted or an adlib on Matthew's behalf and can you tell us what it means...if anything?
A) Well spotted! Indeed this line arose from an improvisation we did during rehearsals. I'm sure the character of Satie believes it means something, but from a storytelling point of view it needed to be an absurd line from the absurd character Matthew was playing (the composer Satie). Incidentally he was an extremely eccentric character - apparently living with hundreds of umbrellas and sketches of flying machines.
#2 Q) What are your thoughts on the cult-like following that Moulin Rouge has earned? Did you anticipate the midnight showings, gatherings of self-dubbed "Rougers", their creative works and intense passion for your film?
A) Not so long ago I was invited to India by Indian MTV to give a lecture on 'cult cinema'. Although I spoke about the usual suspects ['Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Donnie Darko' etc] I also included in my discussion 'Star Wars'. Some may argue this given the vast popular audience for 'Star Wars'. The number of committed fans is not the issue. I think what defines a cult film is a film that connects a specific group of people and impels them to view it over and over again because of an emotional experience or an underlying idea or set of ideas.
This group of people's collective celebration, involvement and possession of the film evolves into a community, a cult. I point this out because I did not specifically set out to make a cult film. All three films in the 'Red Curtain Trilogy' were created not along the lines of naturalistic cinema - specifically so they could be viewed time and time again. I must say it's extremely gratifying for all that have worked on 'Moulin Rouge' that there is a body of dedicated fans who really care enough about the film and its ideas to claim it as their own.
#3 Q) Moulin Rouge involved a lengthy pre-shoot commitment and an intensive filming period. After spending so much time together there must have been some great moments. We'd like to know; apart from some of the bloopers we've seen on the DVD, what were the funniest moments on set?
A) All shoots have their backstage stories, but given the unusual and risky enterprise that 'Moulin Rouge' was, the backstage stories like the film itself have taken on somewhat of an almost mythical quality. All those who worked on the film, we often comment to ourselves 'did that really happen?' I suppose the true backstage story of 'Moulin Rouge' needs to wait until enough time has passed so that the 'story behind making the story' can truly be told.
#4 Q) You mentioned in your "Behind the Red Curtain" DVD that after every project you take time away from movies, sets, and work for some well deserved R&R either alone or with your family. Since the birth of Lillian, how has it changed your approach to your time spent on the work front and what can we expect from your future projects, in particular Alexander and the Chanel Commercial?
A) Since 'Moulin Rouge' we have been profoundly involved in the development of 'Alexander the Great', the staging of 'La Boheme' on Broadway and Los Angeles, as well as developing forthcoming works.
Indeed CM and I have travelled extensively both together and apart. I recently crossed Russia on the Trans-Siberia [highly recommended]. We also had to take serious stock of our lives and deal with some personal issues, the most joyous and truly fulfilling of which was the birth of our little girl, Lillian.
CM and I have never been able to separate our work and our personal life so we constantly seek to ensure they enrich each other. As I'm sure you're aware Oliver Stone is about to release his production of Alexander the Great. By the end of the year I will need to decide whether indeed it is appropriate timing to instigate my production as my next film or whether to move it later and proceed with one of the many other works I have been developing.
As I have too many ideas and stories to tell within one given lifetime, the only important decision for me is that I am working on a story that enriches my and my family's life journey.
#5 Q) Which three people, dead or alive, would you most enjoy attending a dinner party with and why?
A) Of course it is always easier to invite the dead to dinner thereby avoiding offending the living. William Shakespeare - I really want to meet him, Elvis for music and accompaniment and....
One of the things I categorically try to avoid doing is provide top-ten lists of films, people and ideas as I always find that when it comes to art it's not like sports - great works like great people don't easily place first, second and third they're equal in their differences. Having said that I'm sure I'm not the only person right this moment in time who wouldn't mind catching up for a nice dinner with Mohammed, Jesus and Buddha and throwing a few questions around.
Finally to all the "Rougers" and the 'Spectacular! Spectacular!' Web site congratulations on your third birthday from CM and I and the whole Bazmark team.
Thanks so much sweetums! 
*thumbs up*
