the Luhrmann has opened up about his friendship with Nicole Kidmanhailing the actress as “someone to be admired”.
The Australian filmmaker reflected on the impact of Kidman’s role in the film Moulin Rouge! from 2001. on the opening night of the latest theater adaptation of the classic story.
Luhrmann, 60, told the PA news agency: “I think Nicole is still doing pretty well! I mean, yeah, we’re good friends and I think in terms of the cast of [Moulin Rouge!],,I see one more than the other, but Nicole and I go way back.
“We are good friends and I don’t know if I can say I’m proud of her, I’m just so in love and so impressed.
“You know, we live in a world where as an actor you degrade at some numerical point in your life, and she thrived.
“I mean, not only is she consistently acting in more challenging roles, but she’s also producing and creating and I think she’s someone to be admired, but she’s also just a good friend.”
Directed, co-produced and co-written by Luhrmann, the 2001 film follows: English writer Christian – originally played by Ewan McGregor – as he travels to Paris where he falls in love with Satine – played by Kidman – a performer, courtesan and the star of the city’s biggest nightclub, Moulin Rouge.
On handing over the baton to Alex Timbers, the director of the latest theatrical adaptation of the hit film in London’s West End, Luhrmann described it as “the ultimate mash-up”.
He said: “What’s so brilliant about the new team, and I wouldn’t have done this – I’m so glad I’m Grandpa Baz, you know, I’ve got all the fun of the grandkids, but I don’t have to not to do all the work – Alex Timbers and his entire creative team took this giant leap forward and started looking at the classics from the original movie musical, but let’s also put today’s music in it.
“And I think it easily takes the crown for the ultimate mash-up. They’ve taken mash-up to another level of art form.”
He added: “If you liked this movie, you get all the comfort food in the movie, but I also think you get a surprising new zest and taste and zing from it now.
“They really take it and they run even further with it, and that’s so satisfying.”
Moulin Rouge! now running on the Piccadilly Theatre in London.