Flanked by director Baz Luhrmann and co-star Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman put on a brave face as she attended the screening of her latest film, the musical Moulin Rouge, which opened the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Despite her recent split with husband Tom Cruise and revelations of a miscarriage, the Australian actress, dressed in a stunning black Yves Saint Laurent gown, smiled and joked as she mingled with on-lookers and posed for photographs.
Referring to the high profile exposure which inevitably accompanies an appearance at Cannes, Nicole said: “Obviously this would not be my choice, if the circumstances were different, to sit in front of you and answer questions about my personal life. But I feel proud of this work and it is important to promote it because it is something that the public would not obviously want to see.”
The Eyes Wide Shut star was full of praise for the vocals talents of co-star Ewan, who was accompanied to the screening by his wife Eve. “I found it much easier to play the love story on screen through the songs because it lets you get lost in it,” she said. “When Ewan was singing to me it was like magic. When he sings Elton John’s Your Song, although I’ve heard him sing it at least 600 times, it evoked an immediate emotional adoration.”
Nicole, whose own musical numbers included the classic Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, said: “I would love to do another musical. Vocally, a Broadway show is very tough on your voice. But I’m up for any challenge.”
Revelers turned out in droves for the post-screening party which turned Cannes’ picturesque harbour into a cabaret scene straight out of the film. Can can girls high kicked as guests sipped champagne and tucked into 400 lobsters served by renowned chef Bruno Oger.
Though only 23 films compete in the prestigious film festival, over 600 will be screened for the 5,000 visitors.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
