Trust me on the Sunscreen.

Mark Anthony

‘Baz’ Lurhmann

(1962)

Although starting his career as an actor, Mark Anthony 'Baz' Lurhmann found that his talents as a writer, director and producer behind the scenes flourished.  

Luhrmann grew up in rural Australia and it was at his father's movie theatre that he first became captivated by the world of movies and the power of story telling. His most notable works are “The Red Curtain” trilogy (Strictly Ballroom (1992), Romeo and Juliet (1996) and Moulin Rouge! (2001)). These all fall under a specific type of film making in which Lurhmann actively promoted audience participation.

Baz Lurhmann

In late 2004, he directed the world's most expensive advertisement for Chanel No 5, a 4-minute short film titled "No 5: The Film" starring Nicole Kidman (who he worked with for Moulin Rouge! (2001)) and Rodrigo Santoro. Varying length versions of the film ad were shown on television, and - a first for Chanel - in movie theaters. Costumes were designed by Karl Lagerfeld and a score by Claude Debussy.

"Everbody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)"

On the 1^st of June 1997 Mary Schmich wrote the essay “Advice like youth, probably just wasted on the young” published in the Chicago Tribune. In her introduction she described in as the ‘commencement speech’ if ever she was asked to give one.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-sunscreen-column,0,4054576.column 

The whole essay was used by Lurhmann on his album Something for everybody released in 1998 as “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”. The song was Lurhmann’s remixed version of the song Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good) by Rozalla. Released as a single later, with the opening words added “Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of ‘99”. Vocals were performed by Australian voice actor, Lee Perry.

They emailed her and, with her permission, recorded the song the next day.

The song was a worldwide hit, reaching number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and number one in the United Kingdom and Ireland

It is played during the end credits in John Swanbeck's film The Big Kahuna, starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli.

The Big Kahuna (1999)

On August 10, 2008, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman; Moulin Rouge Promo. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue December 2000 

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as Satine and Christian

Romeo and Juliet (1996)

The Montagues (Romeo, Benvolio, Abram, and Balthasar) and Mercutio (friend of Romeo's)

Juliet's Tomb 

Film still with Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo), Baz Lurhmann (director) and Claire Danes (Juliet) 

Pete Postlethwaite as Father Laurence

Australia (2008)

Edouard Manet (1832-83) 'Boating' (1874)

The Great Gatsby (2012) 


Lurhman's adaptation of the novel is set to debut Christmas 2012. 

"In it Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jay Gatsby, Carey Mulligan is Daisy Buchanan and Tobey Maguire is the narrator, Nick Carraway.

In 3-D." (New York Times)

Mr. Luhrmann’s experiment will have to overcome the ambivalence of viewers who have yet to fully embrace 3-D technology, especially in North America. The success of “Avatar” notwithstanding, 3-D has faltered somewhat in high-profile efforts and studios have had to work hard to convince consumers that there is a real reason for it beyond Hollywood’s desire to charge higher price. 

Leonardo DiCaprio, left, with Baz Luhrmann on the set of “The Great Gatsby,” due out in December.

In response to this Lurhmann explains that “Everyone has strong, and generally opposing, opinions, when you mention 3-D, or ‘The Great Gatsby,’ or Baz Luhrmann,” he said.

But Fitzgerald, he insisted, would have approved.

Robert Redford in the The Great Gatsby (1974)

“He was a modernist,” Mr. Luhrmann said.

 “He was very influenced by the cinema.”