Synopsis

In 1899 Paris, idealistic English writer Christian joins a bohemian troupe and helps create a spectacular show for the Moulin Rouge. He falls in love with Satine, the cabaret's star performer, but their romance is threatened by a jealous duke who finances the production. As the lovers struggle to remain together, Satine's worsening illness casts a tragic shadow over their dreams.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a jukebox musical that places modern popular songs in a Belle Epoque setting. Its score incorporates material associated with artists including Elton John, Madonna, Queen, Nirvana, and The Police.

• "Come What May" is one of the few major original songs written for the film. It was originally created for an earlier Baz Luhrmann project, "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet," but was not used there.

• Production was based in Australia, with elaborate sets built at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney rather than filming extensively in Paris. The deliberately theatrical sets emphasize the film's artificial, stage-like atmosphere.

• Nicole Kidman suffered broken ribs and a knee injury during production, contributing to a two-week filming interruption. The demanding choreography and restrictive costumes made several musical numbers particularly difficult to complete.

• The film received eight Academy Award nominations at the 74th Academy Awards and won for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design.

• The movie later became the basis for a stage jukebox musical, which premiered in Boston in 2018 before opening on Broadway in 2019.