In Moulin Rouge, many of the scenes are presented as if on a stage. The Moulin Rouge cabaret itself is presented as flamboyant and extravagant along with Satine’s elephant designed room. This is further demonstrated through theatrical costumes worn by those in the cabaret and the bright lighting within the Moulin Rouge.  

Lighting 

The Red interior contrasts the blue exterior (Paris). As Zidler remarks at one point, “outside it may be raining, but in here it’s entertaining.” The Moulin Rouge is a place where one goes to escape reality (the blue reality). The Juxtaposition of these two colours is utilized though out the film. Perhaps the red implies a warm, lustful and heated atmosphere with the blue being sad, cold and bitter.  

These two colours are also used during ‘El Tango de Roxanne’ where Satine is seen drenched in blue light up in the Dukes tower whilst Christian is below drenched in a red light. The high and low angles with Satine above and Christian below accentuate the distance between them both physically and emotionally. 

Costume 

Satine is dressed in grand and extravagant costumes to highlight her as the most beautiful and successful woman of the Moulin Rouge. Many costumes worn by her at the cabaret heighten this image of her as a man’s ultimate fantasy. It was important to make the costumes historically accurate (around 1889) whilst also incorporating fresh modern elements to help the audience connect whilst feeling enthralled. 

Costumes were fabulous and bold accentuating the theatrics of the cabaret showground whilst enthralling the audience guiding their attention. 

Movement 

During the performance of ‘Spectacular Spectacular’ the characters move at hyper speed creating a hectic and confused atmosphere, this is reflected by the Dukes reaction and this same overwhelming and bewildered feeling pervades the audience.  

In contrast, when Santine faints the speed deliberately slows showing her gradual descent in order to increase dramatics.  

Cinematography 

Almost the entire film was shot on stage, using elaborate scaled sets of the Moulin Rouge club in Paris built for the film. An anamorphic lens was used whilst shooting to give an opulent and grand visual. For scenes such as ‘El Tango de Roxanne’ and other performance numbers multiple cameras were used to capture the frantic energy, furthermore the endless coverage of cameras at various angles could result in amazing, unpredictable shots. However, most of the drama was shot single-cam. In certain shots you can see Satine encircled by men (during performances) not only does this result in a stunning picture it also suggests how Satine is seen as this temptress with a strong appeal to men.