Information Security & US & Life & Love & Fashion & Hacking & Passion

The Wizardry of Baz

Luhrmann fêted at MoMA

Albert Hammond, Jr., and Agyness Deyn   
more photos ›

Some of the world's most celebrated Australians—including Rupert Murdoch and (sneaking in near the end of dinner) Nicole Kidman—dropped by MoMA last night to honor fellow countryman Baz Luhrmann at a benefit co-hosted by Men's Vogue and Louis Vuitton. The director was awarded a lifetime museum membership, as well as the opportunity to screen a few scenes from his upcoming epic, Australia, in front of a very influential audience (Harvey Weinstein, Vogue's Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, et al.). The after-dinner treat was a performance by Elton John.

Discussing what it was like to work with Luhrmann, presenter Hugh Jackman said, "Every movie he does is about love. He really touches the things you're passionate about." Speaking of passion, just about everyone in the crowd had the same favorite Luhrmann film. "Not to be predictable, but it's Moulin Rouge!," said Alexander Wang. "I'm just a follower." Apparently, so is Louis Vuitton's Antoine Arnault: "Moulin Rouge! is absolutely wonderful, even if our friends at Chanel used it for their perfume ad."