FAQ

He seems to resemble the character of Satie from the movie, played by Matthew Whittet

Moulin Rouge! is based partly on the Greek myth of Orpheus and partly on the opera La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. The screenplay was co-written by Australian filmmakers Craig Pearce and Baz Luhrmann (who also directed the film).

As a pair of words, "moulin rouge" is French for "red windmill" (i.e. "moulin" for "windmill", and "rouge" for "red"). As a name, it comes from a famous cabaret, built in 1889 in the Pigalle section of Paris. The building has a mock windmill atop it, with lights built into the blades.

There is no definite answer, however director Luhrmann suggests that Christian (Ewan McGregor) was around the age of 21 as he was leaving home for the first time. Satine (Nicole Kidman) is probably older, around the age of 24 or 25. She was actually one of the older ones there, as most performers would have been about 19 or 20. You must remember, in those days to be in your 30s was to be middle-age. There is very little chance either Christian or Satine are over 30. In real life, Ewan was 28 (almost 29) and Nicole was 31 during filming.

Consumption is an old term for tuberculosis (TB), an infection of the lungs. It can be spread through coughing, sneezing, kissing, speaking, and spitting. This means that, sadly, Christian is probably the most likely character to contract TB and, unfortunately, the Duke is least likely.

Yes, they are. They even had vocal training for quite some time before filming began to do so. Some behind the scenes information about this can be seen in the special features of the 2-disc Special Edition DVD of the movie. There is some controversy, however, whether the high note during the song "Hindi Sad Diamonds" is really Kidman.

It's called "Bolero" and it can be found on the Moulin Rouge Volume 2 soundtrack.

Here is a track listing for this soundtrack (as listed on Amazon.com):

1. Your Song 2. Sparkling Diamonds [Original Film Version] 3. One Day I'll Fly Away 4. The Pitch (Spectacular Spectacular) [Original Film Version] 5. Come What May [Original Film Version] 6. Like a Virgin [Original Film Version] 7. Meet Me in the Red Room [Original Film Version] 8. Your Song 9. The Show Must Go On [Original Film Version] 10. Ascension/Nature Boy (From the Death and...) 11. Bolero (Closing Credits) [Original Film Version]

Note: The two "Your Song" tracks on this soundtrack are both score music only (containing no actual singing) and not repeats of the same material.

"Elephant Love Medley" features...

"All You Need Is Love" Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (Originally performed by The Beatles)

"I Was Made For Lovin' You" Written by Paul Stanley, Desmond Child and Vini Poncia (Originally performed by KISS)

"One More Night" Written by Phil Collins (Originally performed by Phil Collins)

"Pride (In The Name Of Love)" Music by U2 Lyrics by Bono and The Edge (Originally performed by U2)

"Don't Leave Me This Way" Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert (Originally performed by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and later by Thelma Houston)

"Silly Love Songs" Written by Paul McCartney (Originally performed by Paul McCartney & Wings)

"Up Where We Belong" Written by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Will Jennings (Originally performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes)

"Heroes" Written by David Bowie and Brian Eno (Originally performed by David Bowie)

"I Will Always Love You" Written by Dolly Parton (Originally performed by Dolly Parton and later by Whitney Houston)

"Your Song" Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Performed by Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and Placido Domingo Produced by Blam, Josh G. Abrahams, Craig Armstrong and Marius De Vries" (Originally performed by Elton John)

There is also mention of "Love Is Like Oxygen" by Sweet