The film. We were invited last night to a special advanced screening of the Baz Luhrmann film by the Advance Organisation here in Paris. I’d say there were a few hundred aussies, along with guests, mostly french (1 quebecer) who turned up to a great independant movie cinema in the 18th to see the epic that’s going to be released here in Paris on December 24th.

I have to tell you I loved the film. I’ll admit that being amongst an audience full of expats is probably the best way to see the film, ideally placed to appreciate all the stereotypical anecdotes and the tongue in cheek humour, not to mention Kitsch (with a capital K) that is markedly Luhrmann. The audience laughed and chanted as Hugh Jackman played up the hunky bod scenes, and they even got the fact that Nicole ditziness was part of the character (although I’m not sure the french people in front of us did… I think they just thought she was acting badly). The clichés abound, and they were well balanced with humour. Hughs’ body is magnificent, the Australian country scenery has a starring role, and the digital imagery even though noticable had remarkable light, mirroring the fantastic light I miss so much from Australia. Part spoof, part epic, I can see the thread of Australia right through the film.

A documentary it definitely is not, but part Priscilla and part Moulin Rouge it definitely is. I felt right at home.

p.s. I’ve just realised Hugh Jackman is my age and went to Knox Grammar. I used to know lots of guys from Knox, how come I never met him when I was in highschool??