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Strictly Ballroom

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Strictly
Ballroom

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SYNOPSIS
At the Waratah Championships ballroom dancer Scott Hastings goes against Federation rules and impulsively dances his own steps, causing partner Liz Holt to dump him.
Then Fran, ugly duckling of the beginners’ class, offers to be Scott’s new partner.
Initially sceptical, he is persuaded by her ideas, and together they plan to dance their own steps at the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Championships.
But Scott’s rebelliousness does not go unchallenged. His mother Shirley and coach
Les Kendall try various ways to prevent Scott from dancing with Fran, while corrupt
President Barry Fife plots Scott’s downfall by concocting a story about his parents’ dancing career that will convince him to compete at the Pan-Pacifics without Fran.
All seems lost until Scott’s father Doug reveals the truth. With Barry Fife’s desperate attempts at sabotage having little effect, Scott and Fran complete their spectacular dance to rapturous applause from the crowd. Everyone takes to the dance floor in celebration.

CAST
Scott Hastings
Fran
Barry Fife
Doug Hastings
Shirley Hastings
Liz Holt
Les
Rico
Ya Ya

Paul Mercurio
Tara Morice
Bill Hunter
Barry Otto
Pat Thomson
Gia Carides
Peter Whitford
Antonio Vargas
Armonia Benedito

Ken Railings
Tina Sparkle
Charm Leachman
Wayne Burns

John Hannan
Sonia Kruger
Kris McQuade
Pip Mushin

Vanessa Cronin
Kylie
Luke

Leonie Page
Lauren Hewett
Steve Grace

CREDITS
Director
Producer
Screenplay

Baz Luhrmann
Tristram Miall
Baz Luhrmann and

Running Time

Craig Pearce
94 Minutes

CONTENTS

Introduction

4

Images of Australia

5

Baz Luhrmann’s Vision

7

The World of the Film

10

Hero, Heroine, Villain

14

APPENDICES
A – Baz Luhrmann interview

18

B – Tristram Miall interview

20

C – Sequences for study

22

D – Key moments

23

E – Film language

24

F – Filmography

25

INTRODUCTION
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