Spellbound in India - In love with India: Baz Luhrmann / Photo: Janak Bhat *...@leisure CINEMA*
*Australian film-maker Baz Luhrmann is inspired by the country and its cinema By Rekha Dixit* The darkness of his eyes is startling in a face so white. One would have expected to gaze into blue, grey or green. But it is the intensity more than the iris that remains longer in memory. Baz Luhrmann is an unapologetic Indophile. Unapologetic, because back in his country, the latest sport is to attack unsuspecting Indians. Most of us remember him as the man who gave Moulin Rouge an attraction more than Nicole Kidman, when he used a few bars of then popular number chamma chamma. “Each time I visit India, I am overwhelmed by its intenseness, its colour and sheer energy. There are always two options before me, either to run or surrender. I have always surrended myself to India, and enjoyed it thoroughly,” he said. This visit, though, is tinged with embarrassment over the ongoing attacks Down Under. “Believe me, most Australians are appalled by what is happening, we cringe everytime we see newspaper headlines about another attack.” Luhrmann firmly believes politicians, bound by protocol and policies, can reach out to a certain extent. Artistes can express the thoughts of their people more uninhibitedly. “All countries have terrible things happening in them. I have no doubt Indians were as revolted by reading about the rape of a Russian child in Goa as we are when these attacks are reported. The kids who do these things are pathetic losers—tragic, lost and sick.” Luhrmann spoke to THE WEEK shortly after joining his friend, artist Vincent Fantauzzo, in making some colourful murals on the outer wall of a new art hotel, Le Sutra in Mumbai. The duo then sped off to Jaipur for a motorbike ride across the northern plains, capturing India in photographs which were to be later auctioned for an Indian charity. India inspires him. So does Indian cinema. “I was here 15 years ago, researching for A Midsummer Night’s Dream production, when I saw a Hindi film in Rajasthan. I didn’t understand much, but I was struck by its similarity to Shakespearean work, with drama flowing seamlessly into tragedy and then comedy. Also, here, the musical format was alive and vibrant, a vestige of the early Hollywood years, where it has become obsolete.” Moulin Rouge’s musical format reflects a bit of his India inspiration. He likes the heightened sensibilities embodied in Hindi films, but is quick to point out that not all of Bollywood is genius, some of it is outright ridiculous. Talk of Moulin Rouge, and it is inevitable that Nicole Kidman will enter the conversation. “Yes, we have shared some dramatic moments while working together and have become dear friends,” he said. “It is not just her Australian lineage; all directors tend to have some actors they continue to work with.” *A.R. Rahman is a close friend with whom Luhrmann is keen to collaborate professionally, too. “I was first introduced to him by his orchestra music that impressed me. He met me during his recent Australia tour. I, too, hope to go to Chinni [Chennai] some day.” He made Australia. Will he make India? “I have always thought that I could make a film in India. Everything comes from an enriching experience, so I don’t know when it will happen, though,” he said. * Then, getting excited at the idea, he added, “I made Australia for my children [six and four years old]. They have been travelling the world, they need to be introduced to their homeland. Perhaps I should make India to show them the country I love. Maybe I could do Kipling’s Kim....” Oh, by the way, Luhrmann said that he hasn’t found his Indian muse yet. Any takers? http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?sectionName=Entertainment&contentId=6700916&programId=1073754907&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL -- - Regards ~ ~ A.R.Rajib ~ ~
