Strictly Ballroom

0:00
With behind the scenes trivia, gossip and humor
STRICTLY BALLROOM

02:20
This was the first major film release for Baz Luhrmann
STRICTLY BALLROOM is the first film in Baz's RED CURTAIN TRILOY
RED CURTAIN TRILOGY films include:
1) STRICTLY BALLROOM 1992
2) ROMEO & JULIET 1996 - with Leonardo Di Caprio - Claire Danes
3) MOULIN ROUGE! 2001 - with Nicole Kidman - Ewan McGregor

03:00
RICTLY BALLROOM was the only trilogy entry without an Oscar nomination.

03:40
Growing up, Baz Luhrmann participated in these types of competitions.

04:20
There are actually very few professional dancers in principle roles.
We'll let you know who they are.
If they ever give us a chance.

5:37
Paul Mercurio (Scott) - professional dancer

7:25
Peter Whitford (Les Kendall) also 'Stage Manager' in Moulin Rouge!

7:40
Bill Hunter (Barry Fife) was also the voice of 'the dentist' in Finding Nemo

8:17
Tara Morice (Fran) had pimples painted on for these early scenes.

8:46
The dance trophies you'll see were borrowed from real dance studios.

10:16
Leonie Page (Vanessa Cronin - in purple) - professional dancer

12:25
"It takes two to tango."
Would the modern chat code be "IT22T"?
Tango originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
It spread to the rest of the world soon after.
In 2009, the Tango was declared a world heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

14:20
Strictly Ballroom began life as an improvised stage play.
The early stage production featured Baz Luhrmann in lead roles.
The play was later performed at the Sydney Theatre Company.
It was never originally intended to be a film.

19:34
Tara Morice played Fran in the stage version.
She was almost not cast as Fran for the film though.
Financial backers were reluctant to cast a non-dancer in the role.

21:18
Oh shit... you're upsetting her.

21:25
Translation: "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
Now a widely used phrase that originated here in this film.

21:35
OH... boo hoo.. I'm gonna cry..

21:45
And I'm going to cry standing in the middle of this spotlight.
What good would it do crying in bad lighting... right?

22:00
We never do learn "Just Fran"s last name.

22:28
Rumba is a Spanish word that means "party".
The word also describes a family of percussive rhythms, song and dance.
The Rumba originated in Cuba.
It's a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves..
And Spanish colonizers.
It is secular, with no religious connections.
The details of how it developed are not fully known.

24:42
In this scene, the man in the silk shirt is John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell.
The choreographer of the film.
Strictly Ballroom was his first film.
He has gone on to work on many more.
In 2008 he choreographed the 80th Annual Academy Awards.
Much like choreographer Mark Rosolini, John is now a legend in Australia.
He makes another appearance in the film later on.

27:00
Dad wears a very obviously fake fat belly.

27:20
More evident as he starts to dance here.

27:35
A little bit of Australian air made all her pimples instantly vanish.
Damn.. I should have gone to high school in Australia.

28:25
The producers had to beg Coca-Cola to allow this sign.
Coca-Cola finally paid a bit of the cost to produce the sign.
Coca Cola was founded in 1886 and produces over 300 beverage brands.
They are located in close to 200 countries.
They're even in Australia.

29:40
In the next scene take a close look at the calendar.
NOVEMBER
As the pages get ripped off, you'll see every month is NOVEMBER.
And Pan Pacifics (red circle) has even been circled in later months.
Is this STRICTLY BALLROOM or GROUNDHOG DAY?

30:23
Steve Grace (Luke) played a Montmartre dancer in Moulin Rouge!

31:24
Obviously nothing but socks and panties ever get cleaned in Australia.

34:32
Look at that clear(ish) skin.
Shoulda gone to High School in Australia... damn!!

36:48
Sonia Kruger (Tina Sparkle) - professional dancer
She was a presenter on Australia's DANCING WITH THE STARS
When asked about her large wardrobe on air she replied:
"Lets just say..."
"I have a sweat shop full of illegal immigrants working right now."
Then, directed at the show's Malaysian born musical director:
"How is the family Chong? Alright?"
OOPS
Sonia has since been dubbed "The Queen of Mean" in Australian press

41:16
Nice eyeliner Scott
You have on more makeup than Fran mate!

42:00
Paul Mercurio also starred with Dan Aykroyd and Rosie O'Donnell
In the 1994 movie 'Exit to Eden'
He's an accomplished choreographer in Australia.
He had his own dance company.
'Australian Choreographic Ensemble' (ACE) from 1992 to 1998


45:59
There's the bitch.

45:57
Barry Fife's 'Dance to Win.'
You never see anyone actually buy a copy.

47:48
Fran's house was a set built on to an existing railway station.
A train was hired to pass by the house twice.
Which made it the most expensive shot in the entire film.

49:00
Antonio Vargas (Rico) - professional dancer
And the last of the four professional dancers in the film.

49:24
Once, a real food inspector came onto the set.
He demanded paperwork because he thought it was a real store.

50:18
Paso Doble (literal meaning in Spanish: double-step)
A typical Spanish march-like musical and dance style
The music typically played in bullfights
During the bullfighters' entrance to the ring (paseo)
Or during the passes (faena) just before the kill

51:30
In his second and final appearance in the film.
Choreographer John 'Cha Cha' O'Connell is seated next to the guitarist.

52:27
Antonio Vargas wore all his own clothes throughout the shoot.
Antonio also was in 'Mission Impossible 2' as Senor De L'Arena.

53:04
Keep on eye on the neckline of Scott's tank-top.
It moves around between shots.

54:48
Here comes half the film's budget.. coming through.

56:54
Gia Carides (Liz Holt) was also in 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me'
Her character in that film was named 'Robin Spitz Swallows'.
You may have noticed she wears yellow in all but one scene.
She wore white Dancing with Ken at State.

1:02:00
Out Damn Spot!!

1:02:25
Barry Otto (Doug) played Jimmy D'Abbs in the 1997 movie 'Oscar and Lucinda'
Opposite Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett

1:05:37
This flashback was originally planned as being realistic.
Due to budget, it was changed to the this cartoonish version.

1:06:00
Keep an eye on the amount of GLITTER on the floor.
Changes between shots.

1:12:39
Lara Mulcahy (Fran's dancing partner) played Mome Fromage in Moulin Rouge!

1:13:55
Keep your eyes open for a guy crossing in front of Scott
Facing away from camera
With a silver sequined dress on hanger over his shoulder

1:14:15
There he went... that was Baz

1:20:18
This was the first scene filmed in the movie
It was filmed at the real dance competition
During a 1-hour lunch break

1:21:43
The most expensive costume in the film.
This jacket worn by Scott during the grand finale.
It took over six weeks to make.
The ornaments and flamenco shoes were imported from Spain.

1:24:00
The film screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
It received a 15-minute standing ovation.
An agent of Rank Films promptly snapped up the UK release rights.
1 million pounds in cash.

1:27:35
Paul Mercurio danced this final sequence with a sprained ankle.

1:29:30
Thank you for joining us