Emperor Morphetine
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Any suggestions?I've been working on an essay for an Australian Cinema class on whether or not Baz Luhrmann can be seen as an auteur of the Australian cinema, using Strictly Ballroom, Romeo & Juliet and Moulin Rouge! as examples. I thought I was going really well but am now stumped as to a possible conclusion! I'm trying to argue that in my opinion he can't as his films don't fit in stylistically with other Australian movies I've seen, and instead would compare his work to classical Hollywood musicals and suchlike, but can't find the words to put it academically. I've tried to bring in as much theory as possible relating to Australian cinema and the theatre, as he draws a lot from that, and had a go at trying to add my thoughts on the issues surrounding both him as a filmmaker and Australia as a cinematic nation- it just seems strange that I find myself stuck at this late stage!
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Catnapper
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I always think of an auteur as someone whose films have a certain style or look to them like David Lean or Alfred Hitchcock, but Luhrman's latest film, Australia, has an epic feel (going off the trailers) that's totally different to his other films! In fact, I'd say he was influenced by Lean's Lawrence of Arabia! So maybe that's the conclusion....he isn't a true auteur of Australian cinema but someone who pays homage to, or is influenced by other directors. That probably doesn't help with your essay and I'm probably talking rubbish, but I'm sure you'll find a better conclusion before long!
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Emperor Morphetine
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No, that does make sense Cat, its just really difficult to come up with a killer conclusion! I think I might just say that I think the three films I'm using as examples- Strictly Ballroom, Romeo & Juliet and Moulin Rouge! are more similar to classical Hollywood musicals and the theatre than anything, which puts him at odds with Australian cinema in many ways.
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Catnapper
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I'm glad it made some kind of sense  Luhrman's one of those people who's hard to put a label on.......I can't think of another director who had a number 1 hit single like he had!
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Emperor Morphetine
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The good news is I've now finally finished the essay, took me weeks! And wasn't his song the 'Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen' one?
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Catnapper
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That's another piece of work out of the way for you! Yes, that's the song....I've actually got it in my cd collection
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Emperor Morphetine
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Yep, only leaves the ongoing dissertation till term starts...
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