Quotes

The following quotes are taken from 'World Directors - Baz Luhrmann' by Pam Cook.

I have found these quotes important in my research either because of the detail about his work or just information on his work in Australian and Mainstream cinema.

'Luhrmann's last three films, because of their relatively big budgets and the fact that he has a first-look agreement with 20th Century Fox, are often regarded as Hollywood productions: only Strictly Ballroom is defined and perceived as Australian' (Introduction page 2)

'In the context of the Australian film industry. Luhrmann's production set-up is unusual, if not unique. Bazmark inc. the company set up in 1997 by Luhrmann and his wife and chief collaborator, designer Catherine Martin, is an independent production company primarily based in the Sydney house.' (Introduction page 3)

'Luhrmann's career, spans throughout theatre, opera, fashion and music production as well as film-making.' (Introduction page 3)

'His primary aim is to engage audiences by creating something unexpected from the familiar. Postmodernist is a label that has been applied to his films.' (Introduction page 3)

'Luhrmann uses classical story construction, in which the outcome is often already known. The shocking and the new lie in the way the story is told, in broad strokes using cartoon-like imagery, clashing genre conventions and a histrionic acting style that do not chime with cinematic realism. The 'look' of the films is similarly overheated, with a dramatic use of colour design that complements the fast editing pace and overtly mobile camera.' (Introduction page 3)