Luhrmann: ‘Australia Shoot Was Punishing’

Aussie moviemaker BAZ LUHRMANN still can’t believe he completed work on outback epic AUSTRALIA – because the set was struck by a string of problems.

The Moulin Rouge! director had to cope with cast and crew illnesses, food poisoning and a host of other setbacks to complete the film, which stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

Luhrmann tells Outside magazine, “(It was) punishing. There was an equine flu outbreak. It rained for the first time in 100 years as we were about to shoot the desert scene. There was nothing that could have happened that didn’t.”

But the director was encouraged through all the problems by his cast, who dealt with the hardships like professionals.

He explains. “Nicole is at her best in the unusual and difficult. I think it’s one of her great characteristics. And no one camped out in the bush with me except for Hugh.”

(KL/LAFR/MJ)