Shakespearean film.

CONTEXTUALISING SHAKESPEARE. CONSIDER THE SHAKESPEAREAN FILMS OF ANY DIRECTOR ON THIS COURSE IN RELATION TO HIS/HER NON-SHAKESPEAREAN WORK. WHAT PREOCCUPATIONS EMERGE? This study will look at Luhrmann's 'Red Curtain Trilogy' in order to answer this question. His trilogy is comprised of three films made over the last twelve years: Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge. Luhrmann has created a new form of cinematic expression, defined by a theatricalised, participatory form. As …

…these have challenged critics to approve of this film. However, it is worth recalling that Shakespeare was a popular medium in his day. Luhrmann is simply utilising the conventions of his own cinematic form (Red-Curtain) alongside the postmodern in order to revisit and refresh the meaning of Shakespeare's dialogue. Similarly, he reinvents the myths of the past to create a new, stunning and revolutionary style of cinema in Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom.