sports
'Screaming girls chased me down the street': how we made Strictly Ballroom
'A big dude came up to me and said, “My wife dragged me kicking and screaming to see your movie – and it was the best thing she’s ever done”’
TL;DR
- The film *Strictly Ballroom* evolved from a play by Baz Luhrmann's theatre company, Six Years Old.
- Tara Morice, who played Fran, was inspired by Keith Bain's innovative ballroom steps and named her character after the frangipani trees in Sydney.
- Morice underwent seven screen tests over a year for the role of Fran.
- Paul Mercurio, who played Scott, was initially asked to choreograph the film's dances before auditioning for the lead role.
- Morice and Mercurio found a balance between acting and dancing experience to portray their characters.
- The film faced funding challenges, with many doubting its potential success.
- Catherine Martin created artificial frangipani flowers for the set since they were out of season during filming.
- The film is credited with establishing a trajectory for Australian filmmakers to take bolder choices and create a different image of the country.
- Mercurio aimed to convey that 'Men dancing is OK,' and the film resonated with audiences who might not typically engage with ballet or dance.
- The premiere at Cannes received a standing ovation, marking a significant achievement for the film.
- Mercurio recalled being mobbed by screaming schoolgirls in Sydney after the film's release.