Strictly Ballroom

Director: Baz Luhrmann

1992 / 94min / 35mm

A box-office phenomenon in Australia and abroad, Luhrmann’s frisky, razzle-dazzle feature debut—and the first entry in his theatre-inspired “Red Curtain Trilogy,” adapted from a stage production he’d developed while studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney—stars Paul Mercurio as the scion of a competitive ballroom dancing dynasty who draws the ire of his family when he turns away from tradition to explore a flamboyant, crowd-pleasingly contemporary new style with new partner Tara Maurice. An irresistibly energetic and emotionally extravagant romantic comedy drawing on Luhrmann’s experiences as the son of a ballroom dance teacher, always light on its feet and packed to the brim with panache.

35mm collection print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive.