Analyzing Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is celebrated for its art direction, music, and performances. One of its biggest endeavors is the set design. With a combination of real sets and computer generated images, Moulin Rouge manages to showcases a 19th century Paris, France as a world of moral decadence but undeniable beauty. The set design further pushes the message of France, at this time, being a place of plague, poverty and sin; but also a place of art, music and beauty. In the introduction of the film, we see an elaborate design of 19th century Paris, France. We have a detailed and inside look at Paris through the allies, cabaret bars, prostitutes, and up the rooftops to reveal a colorful and vibrant fantasy world. Just the opening sequence emphasizes how the people of France, through poverty and plague, live a life of love, art and music. So we have these two characteristics, these two sides of Paris that seem to juxtapose each other. We see this constantly through out the film; sin and beauty, love and poverty, etc. After the view of the city, we then see an old broken down apartment where Christian, one of the central characters, live. The room is cluttered with broken bottles, clothes on the floor, old wooden floor, worn out walls, and the centerpiece of the room; a polished type writer on the table. This illustrates the idea that art and creativity rise above the poverty and sin of this world. One of the Main sets of the film are the rooftops of Paris. There we have another open view of the city at night and how it comes alive. This film is unique when it comes to set design because it uses the aid of computer generated images. So there are many instances where a character can travel through the city in an unrealistic manner. The train station, most of the city, and the Moulin Rouge are altered with computer generated images. One of the most important aspects of the art design is how the film's visual language and message is established through color. The Moulin Rouge,