Brilliance of Moulin Rouge. The most expensive jewelry in the history of cinema was created especially for Nicole Kidman in the 2001 Australian–American movie “Moulin Rouge!” The jewel was called “Satine” after cabaret actress and courtesan Satine played by Nicole Kidman. The jewel features 1308 diamonds weighing 134 carats – a cost of a million dollars. The most valuable piece of jewellery ever created for a motion picture, appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records. Australian jeweler Stefano Canturi created ‘Satine’ to capture the eclecticism of France in the late 1800’s, he was strongly inspired by the Louis XVI style, openwork lace patterns, scrolls and splendorous bodice jewelry.

The necklace worn by Nicole Kidman was removed from an auction Christie’s because its designer could not bear to part with it, preferring to keep it in his private collection. Since making the necklace, Stefano Canturi has gained new celebrity clients including Celine Dion and Elle McPherson.

Some more interesting facts about the film Moulin Rouge!

The film Budget was $52 million, only on the production of 300 costumes worked 80 costumers. The result was awarded, the film won Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Moulin Rouge! is a musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann.

British actor Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, who played doomed lovers, performed all their vocals themselves.

Initially, the main role should be played by Heath Ledger and Catherine Zeta – Jones.
The plot of the film develops from story lines of three operas: “La Traviata”, “La Boheme” and “Orpheus and Eurydice”. Also observed some similarity with Jacques Offenbach’s operetta “Parisian Life”.

In November 1999, they had to suspend shooting as Nicole Kidman broke a rib and hurt her knee. Several scenes were filmed with fixed closeups of Kidman sitting in a wheelchair.

«Come what may» was written for another film by Baz Luhrmann “Romeo + Juliet” (1996).

The film is dedicated to Baz Luhrmann’s father, Leonard Luhrmann, who died just before filming began.

The word “love” and its variations (loved, lovers, etc.) appear in the film 143 times.

John Leguizamo played a real character – post-impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. His father and mother were relatives, as a result Henri suffered from congenital health conditions, his legs stopped growing in his youth. He drew inspiration from the courtesans and loved to draw them.

Lautrec was mocked for his short stature and physical appearance, and he found way out in alcohol. He drank beer and wine, then invented the cocktail “Earthquake” or Tremblement de Terre – a potent mixture contained half absinthe and half cognac (in a wine goblet, 3 parts Absinthe and 3 parts Cognac, sometimes served with ice cubes or shaken in a cocktail shaker filled with ice).

When the Moulin Rouge cabaret opened, Toulouse-Lautrec was commissioned to paint some posters. Making posters offered him a living of his own. The cabaret reserved a seat for him and displayed his paintings. He painted Moulin Rouge and other Parisian nightclubs, and their characters – singer Yvette Guilbert, dancer Jane Avril, dancer Louise Weber, known as La Goulue, who created the French Can-Can.

Moulin Rouge (1952) film is about Toulouse-Lautrec, the brilliant artist who has had a terrible physical handicap, he remained a big man with short feet. The film does not let go until the last frame. Did not expect such a great acting job, and this reincarnation of Jose Ferrer.

About the famous cabaret in different years were filmed a lot of movies:
“Moulin Rouge fantome” (1925)
“Moulin Rouge” (1928)
“Moulin Rouge” (1934)
“Moulin Rouge” (1939)
“Moulin Rouge” (1940)
“Moulin Rouge” (1944)
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Brilliance of Moulin Rouge

images from website kinopoisk.ru