What is Strictly Ballroom about?
Strictly Ballroom is a 1992 Australian romantic comedy directed by Baz Luhrmann. It follows Scott Hastings, a ballroom dancer who breaks the rules by dancing his own steps, and his partner Fran.
The film grew from a stage play that Luhrmann created as a student at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. It was his first feature film and the first in his Red Curtain Trilogy, followed by Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!
Paul Mercurio played Scott, and Tara Morice played Fran, a shy beginner who becomes his partner. Fran's Spanish family teaches Scott the passionate paso doble.
Success
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992, winning the Prix de la Jeunesse, and became a hit in Australia and worldwide.
It features a memorable soundtrack, including Love Is in the Air by John Paul Young, which returned to the charts after the film's release. The film's bright costumes and exaggerated characters satirise the world of competitive ballroom dancing.
Strictly Ballroom was adapted into a stage musical that premiered in Sydney in 2014 and later played in London. Its message of having the courage to follow your own path has made it a favourite with audiences of all ages.
Did You Know?
Strictly Ballroom won eight Australian Film Institute awards, including Best Film.