Cannes Can

Baz Luhrmann's post-modern musical Moulin Rouge will be the opening film at this year's Cannes Film Festival and the director couldn't be happier. "I still have wonderful memories from when Cannes launched my first film, Strictly Ballroom,' Baz told the industry press yesterday. 'So this is an exciting announcement for me,' said Luhrmann. 'I find it particularly gratifying that a film backed by the US, almost entirely created in Australia and relating to the French History and culture should receive such a welcome in Cannes.' The film, which stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, is far and away the hardest sell of the year and Twentieth Century Fox is working hard to ensure that the film gets the break it deserves. As a result, the film will be opening in America straight after Cannes finishes - rather than later in the year as is more usual. Baz Luhrmann's musical Moulin Rouge will open the Cannes Film Festival on May 9th where it will screen in competition, festival president Gilles Jacob confirmed on Tuesday.