Strictly Ballroom: Australian Identity Through Dance

Strictly Ballroom is an Australian romantic comedy film released in 1992. It was directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann and is the first in his Red Curtain Trilogy of theatre-motif-related films. The film is based on a critically acclaimed stage play, originally set up by Luhrmann and fellow students during his studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney. The film tells the story of a championship ballroom dancer who, with his dancing partner, breaks the rules and urges a belief that 'a life lived in fear is a life half-lived'. The film received positive reviews and was a surprise hit, signalling the beginning of a new era in Australian cinema.

Explore related products

Dance

$5.99

The Desert Said Dance [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

$24

Strictly Ballroom [DVD]

$17.02

Mao's Last Dancer

$3.99

Born to Dance (2015) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

$26.98

Dance Academy: Season 2 Volume 2

$7.49 $8.99

Australian Roots

The 1992 romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom has strong Australian roots. It is based on a critically acclaimed stage play, originally set up in 1984 by Baz Luhrmann and fellow students during his studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney. An expanded version of the play became a success at the Czechoslovakian Youth Drama Festival in Bratislava in 1986.

In 1988, the play had a successful season at Sydney's Wharf Theatre, where it was seen by influential Australian music executive Ted Albert and his wife Antoinette. They loved the energy, colour, and musicality of the play, and Ted Albert immediately saw the potential to develop it into a film using the musical resources available to him through his family-owned music publishing company, Albert Music. Albert and ex-Film Australia producer Tristram Miall offered Luhrmann their plan to transform the play into a film.

The film was Luhrmann's directorial debut and was mostly cast with newcomers. The only "bankable names" in the cast were Barry Otto and screen veteran Bill Hunter. Although co-star Paul Mercurio was well known as a dancer through his work with the Sydney Dance Company, Strictly Ballroom was his first acting role. The film also starred Gia Carides and Tara Morice.

Strictly Ballroom premiered in Australia on 19 or 20 August 1992 and was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for 13 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards and won eight, including Best Film and Best Direction for Luhrmann. The film also received positive reviews from critics, with an average Rotten Tomatoes rating of 7.4/10 and a Metacritic score of 72/100.

Explore related products

Best of Dance Moms Epic Showdowns [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

$26

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody | A Film by Kasi Lemmons | NON-USA Format | Region B Import, Australia

$19.56 $19.99

Strictly Ballroom

$14.89

Despite the Falling Snow | Charles Dance, Rebecca Ferguson | NON-USA Format | PAL | Region 4 Import - Australia

$7.83

War Dance ( War/Dance ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

$34.98

The Australian Ballet perform Adam: Giselle 2010 NTSC

$19.91

Australian Success

The 1992 romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom is an Australian success story. The film is the directorial debut of Baz Luhrmann, based on a critically acclaimed stage play he had developed during his studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney. The play was first performed in 1984 and went on to have a successful season at Sydney's Wharf Theatre in 1988, where it was seen by influential Australian music executive Ted Albert and his wife Antoinette. They loved the energy, colour and musicality of the play and immediately saw its potential for the screen.

However, the producers faced challenges in securing funding for the film, as the cast consisted mostly of newcomers, and the budget was relatively high for an Australian film. Despite these obstacles, Luhrmann refused to compromise his vision, and the film eventually secured funding from the Film Finance Corporation, with additional support from Albert's production company M&A Productions.

Strictly Ballroom premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and won the Festival's Award of the Youth for Foreign Film. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $9 million in the USA alone and receiving positive reviews from critics, who praised its energy, choreography, and unique blend of dance, comedy and surrealism. The film also sparked a new era in Australian cinema, showcasing the potential for Australian stories to resonate with global audiences.

The film's Australian-ness, as described by Belinda King of the Encore Theatre Company, resonated with audiences and allowed them to connect with and celebrate Australian culture. The success of Strictly Ballroom led to a musical adaptation, which premiered globally in Sydney in 2014 before travelling to other Australian cities and eventually making its way to the UK in 2016.

Explore related products

Love n' Dancing | NON-USA Format | PAL | Region 4 Import - Australia

$17.46

Born to Dance

$25.98

Strictly Ballroom

$3.79

Strictly Ballroom

$16.99

Strictly Ballroom

$19.94

Strictly Ballroom

$19.96

Australian Cinema

The 1992 romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom is considered Australian for several reasons. Firstly, it is directed and co-written by Australian Baz Luhrmann, marking his directorial debut. The film is based on a critically acclaimed stage play that Luhrmann had set up in 1984 while studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney. The play was later performed at Sydney's Wharf Theatre in 1988, where it was seen by influential Australian music executive Ted Albert and his wife, Antoinette. The couple loved the play and offered Luhrmann their support in adapting it into a film.

Strictly Ballroom features a predominantly Australian cast, including Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, and Barry Otto. Mercurio, a well-known dancer with the Sydney Dance Company, made his acting debut in the film. The film also showcases Australian talent through its choreography and musical contributions.

The film premiered in Australian cinemas on 20 August 1992 and received a positive response from Australian audiences and critics alike. It was nominated for 13 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards in 1992, winning eight awards, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Lead Actor, and Best Lead Actress. The film's success extended beyond Australia, as it received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Festival's Award of the Youth for Foreign Film.

Strictly Ballroom's Australian context is further reflected in its setting and themes. The story takes place within the world of ballroom dancing, which has a significant following in Australia. The film satirises the pretentious and competitive nature of the ballroom dance scene while celebrating individualism and self-expression. The film's message of embracing one's unique style and breaking free from conformist expectations resonates with Australian values of self-deprecation and self-love.

Explore related products

Strictly Ballroom

$39.99

Strictly Ballroom [Blu-ray]

$49.95

Strictly Ballroom

$37.99

Strictly Ballroom: Special Edition

$39.99

Strictly Ballroom

$39.99

Strictly Ballroom [DVD] [1992]

$51.75

Australian Talent

The 1992 romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom is an Australian production through and through. From its origins as a stage play at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, to its global launchpad at the Cannes Film Festival, Strictly Ballroom showcases Australian talent in front of and behind the camera.

The film's director and co-writer, Baz Luhrmann, is Australian, and Strictly Ballroom was his directorial debut. The film is the first in his Red Curtain Trilogy of theatre-themed films, followed by Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge. Luhrmann's distinctive style is evident in the film's colourful sets, elegant camera work, and unique storytelling.

The lead actors, Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, are Australian and made their film debuts in Strictly Ballroom. Mercurio, who played the lead role of Scott Hastings, was already well known as a dancer through his work with the Sydney Dance Company, but this was his first acting role. Morice, who played Fran, Scott's dancing partner, also went on to a successful career in television and film. Other notable Australian actors in the film include Barry Otto, Bill Hunter, and Gia Carides.

The film's producers, Ted Albert and Tristram Miall, were also instrumental in bringing Strictly Ballroom to life. Albert, a leading Australian music executive and producer, and his wife, Antoinette, loved the energy and musicality of the original stage play and saw its potential for the big screen. Despite initial difficulties in securing funding due to the film's relatively unknown cast, Miall and Albert persevered, and their belief in the project paid off. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $9 million in the US alone and receiving numerous accolades, including eight awards at the 1992 AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards.

Strictly Ballroom's Australian talent extends beyond the cast and crew. The film's setting in the world of competitive ballroom dancing, with its strict rules and pretensions, provides a backdrop for a uniquely Australian story of rebellion, innovation, and the pursuit of personal expression. The film's message of embracing one's true self and breaking free from the constraints of tradition resonates with audiences both in Australia and internationally.

Explore related products

Strictly Ballroom Special Edition

$29.99

Strictly Ballroom

$28.72

Strictly Ballroom

$39.99

More Is More: Get Loose in the Kitchen: A Cookbook

$24.38 $35

Baz & Benz

$17.9 $19.99

Talk Wicked to Me: Baz Wicked (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside Book 6)

$5.99 $18.99

Australian Camp

The 1992 romantic comedy film Strictly Ballroom is considered Australian for several reasons. Firstly, it is directed and co-written by Australian Baz Luhrmann, marking his directorial debut. The film is based on a critically acclaimed stage play that Luhrmann had developed during his studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney in 1984. The play was later performed at Sydney's Wharf Theatre in 1988, where it was seen by influential Australian music executive Ted Albert and his wife, Antoinette. The couple loved the play's energy, colour, and musicality, and Ted immediately saw its potential as a film.

The film adaptation of Strictly Ballroom premiered in Australian cinemas on 20 August 1992, and it received a positive response from Australian audiences, grossing A$204,726 and finishing sixth at the Australian box office in its opening week. The film was also nominated for 13 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards in 1992, winning eight awards, including Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Cinematography.

Strictly Ballroom features Australian actors in its cast, including Paul Mercurio, who was well-known as a dancer through his work with the Sydney Dance Company, and Barry Otto. The film also showcases Australian talent through its choreography and musical elements. The film's success has been attributed to its "Australian-ness," resonating with audiences and allowing them to laugh at and love themselves.

The film's plot revolves around the world of ballroom dancing and follows a championship ballroom dancer, Scott (Paul Mercurio), who defies conventions with his innovative and flashy dance steps. Scott's journey to finding his personal style of dance and winning the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship reflects the Australian spirit of breaking free from constraints and embracing individuality.

Frequently asked questions