Introduction:

Moulin Rouge is a 2001 romantic musical film directed by Baz Luhrmann, set in the
bohemian district of Montmartre in Paris in the late 19th century. The film is a visual and
auditory spectacle, featuring stunning costumes, elaborate sets, and a mesmerizing
soundtrack. Moulin Rouge is a story about love, passion, and sacrifice, revolving around the
tragic romance between a penniless writer and a beautiful courtesan. The film is a masterful
blend of classic Hollywood musicals and contemporary pop culture, and has become a
beloved classic. In this essay, we will explore the themes, music, and cinematography of
Moulin Rouge, and analyse how Luhrmann's unique directorial style brings this vibrant and
complex story to life. In addition to the themes of love, passion, and sacrifice, Moulin Rouge
also addresses complex issues related to age, sexuality, and class. These issues are central
to the film's characters and their struggles, and provide a deeper understanding of the story's
cultural and historical context.

Age:
One of O'Shaughnessy's key ideas is the concept of the "ageing society", in which
demographic shifts lead to an increasing proportion of older people in the population. He
argues that this trend has significant implications for how we think about work, retirement,
healthcare, and social welfare. In Moulin Rouge, we can see how the theme of age is
relevant to several of these issues. For example, Satine's profession as a courtesan relies
on her youthful beauty, and she is keenly aware of the fleeting nature of her desirability. This
creates a tension between her desire to secure her financial future by seducing the wealthy
Duke, and her love for Christian, the young writer played by Ewan McGregor. This tension is
further complicated by the fact that Christian is perceived as being too young and
inexperienced to understand the realities of Satine's life as a courtesan.
We can also consider the film's portrayal of the bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre, which
celebrates individualism, creativity, and non-conformity. This lifestyle is often associated with
youth and is contrasted with the traditional values of the upper class, which are perceived as
conservative and outdated. This tension between youth and age reflects broader social and
cultural shifts that have occurred throughout history.While O'Shaughnessy's specific ideas
may not directly address the topic of age in the context of Moulin Rouge, his broader ideas
about demographic shifts and social change can be relevant to our understanding of how
age is portrayed in the film. The tension between youth and age is a central theme in Moulin
Rouge, and reflects broader cultural and historical trends related to changing values and
societal norms.

The theme of age is an important one in Moulin Rouge, and it is closely tied to issues of
power and social status. The film takes place in the context of the Belle Époque, a period in
French history marked by cultural and artistic innovation, as well as significant social and
economic changes.The characters in the film are divided into two main groups: the
bohemian artists of Montmartre and the wealthy and powerful elite who inhabit the world
outside of the Moulin Rouge. These two groups are defined in part by their age and social
status, and their interactions are shaped by these differences.
The younger characters, including Christian and Satine, are part of the bohemian world of
the Moulin Rouge, where they are free to express themselves creatively and sexually. Their
youth and vitality give them a sense of power and agency, and they are able to challenge the
traditional values and social norms of the upper class.By contrast, the older characters,
including the Duke and Zidler, are more concerned with maintaining their power and
influence in a changing world. They are threatened by the younger generation's rejection of
traditional values and their willingness to challenge the established order. The Duke, in
particular, is motivated by a desire to possess and control Satine, who represents a youthful
and rebellious spirit that he sees as a threat to his own authority. The film's treatment of age,
then, is closely tied to its critique of social hierarchy and the power dynamics that underpin it.
The younger characters are able to challenge and subvert the authority of their elders, but
they do so at great risk to themselves. The tragic ending of the film serves as a reminder that
youth and vitality are ultimately fleeting, and that the power dynamics of society are often
more powerful than any individual's ability to resist them.

Class:
Class is also a major theme in Moulin Rouge, and is reflected in the stark contrast between
the world of the bohemian artists and the wealthy patrons of the Moulin Rouge. The artists,
including Christian and Toulouse-Lautrec, are portrayed as outsiders who reject the
traditional values of the bourgeois class and celebrate individuality and creativity. The
wealthy patrons, on the other hand, are shown to be superficial and empty, using their
wealth to buy pleasure and fleeting experiences. In Moulin Rouge, we see how class shapes
the relationships between characters and the opportunities available to them. For example,
Satine is a working-class woman who has been forced into the profession of a courtesan to
survive. She dreams of a better life and a chance to escape her circumstances, but she is
also realistic about the limitations that her social class places on her. Similarly, Christian is a
young writer who has rejected the traditional values of his upper-class family in favor of the
bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre. He is attracted to Satine because she represents a kind of
freedom and creativity that he cannot find in his own social class.
The film also portrays a tension between different ideologies related to class and power. The
Duke represents an ideology of power and control, believing that his wealth and status
entitle him to own and control Satine. The bohemian artists, on the other hand, celebrate
individualism and reject the idea that one's social class should determine one's fate.
O'Shaughnessy's work on social conservatism and the role of the state in shaping society
suggests that these tensions reflect deeper ideological conflicts about the role of class in
society. O'Shaughnessy argues that a healthy society requires a strong sense of shared
values and a sense of social order, which he believes are threatened by excessive
individualism and the breakdown of traditional social hierarchies. From this perspective, the
bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre, with its rejection of traditional values and emphasis on
individual expression, represents a threat to social order and stability.
James O'Shaughnessy's ideas about social conservatism and the role of the state in shaping
society can provide a useful lens for analyzing the portrayal of class in Moulin Rouge. The
film depicts a tension between different ideologies related to class and power, reflecting
deeper ideological conflicts about the role of class in society. By exploring these tensions,
we can gain a deeper understanding of the film's themes and social commentary.
In the film, the characters are divided into two main groups: the wealthy elite who control the
world outside of the Moulin Rouge, and the bohemian artists who inhabit the cabaret and its
environs. These two groups are defined by their social status and the power and privilege
that come with it. The upper class characters, including the Duke and Zidler, are motivated
by a desire to maintain their power and control over the lower classes. They see the Moulin
Rouge as a place of debauchery and sin, and they seek to exploit the performers for their
own purposes. The Duke, in particular, is portrayed as a callous and ruthless aristocrat who
uses his wealth and influence to manipulate and dominate others.
By contrast, the bohemian characters, including Christian and Satine, reject the values and
social norms of the upper class. They see the Moulin Rouge as a place of freedom and
expression, where they can live and love on their own terms. However, their rejection of
traditional values puts them at odds with the conservative forces of the upper class, who see
them as a threat to the established order.The film's treatment of class, then, is closely tied to
its critique of power and privilege in society. It shows how the rich and powerful use their
wealth and influence to maintain their control over the lower classes, and how the bohemian
artists of the Moulin Rouge resist and challenge this authority. Ultimately, the film suggests
that true freedom and expression can only be achieved by breaking down the barriers of
class and social status and embracing the common humanity that unites us all.

Sexuality:
Another important issue in the film is sexuality, specifically in the context of the sexually
liberated atmosphere of Montmartre. Moulin Rouge portrays a society in which sexual
freedom and pleasure are celebrated, but this celebration is often contrasted with the
moralizing influence of the church and the bourgeoisie. This is exemplified by the character
of the Duke, who represents the conservative, puritanical values of the upper class, and
whose attempts to control Satine are driven by his fear of female sexuality. We can explore
O'Shaughnessy's broader ideas about sexuality and society, which may be relevant to a
discussion of Moulin Rouge. O'Shaughnessy has written about the importance of shared
values and social order in creating a stable society. He argues that excessive individualism
and moral relativism can lead to social fragmentation and a breakdown of social order.
In Moulin Rouge, we can see how the theme of sexuality relates to these issues. The film
takes place in the context of the Belle Époque, a period in French history characterized by
cultural and artistic innovation, as well as changing social mores. The Moulin Rouge itself
was a cabaret that famously featured can-can dancers and other performers who pushed the
boundaries of acceptable behavior at the time.The film portrays a tension between the
bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre, with its celebration of individual expression and sexual
freedom, and the more traditional values of the upper class, who see the Moulin Rouge as a
den of iniquity. The Duke, for example, represents a conservative, patriarchal worldview that
seeks to control and dominate women, including Satine. Christian, on the other hand,
represents a more open and accepting attitude toward sexuality and personal expression.
Thus, we can see how the film engages with broader cultural and historical shifts in attitudes
toward sexuality and individualism. While O'Shaughnessy's specific views on sexuality are
not known, his broader ideas about social order and shared values can provide a useful
framework for analyzing the portrayal of sexuality in Moulin Rouge, as well as other films and
cultural works that engage with these issues. he theme of sexuality is a central one in Moulin
Rouge, and it is explored in a variety of ways throughout the film. The story is set in the
bohemian world of Montmartre in Paris, a place where artists, musicians, and performers
gather to celebrate life, love, and creativity. Sexuality is an important part of this culture, and
it is celebrated and explored in many different ways.
The film's main characters, Christian and Satine, are both performers at the Moulin Rouge,
and their love story is at the center of the film. Their relationship is characterized by a
passionate and intense sexual energy, which is expressed through their singing and
dancing. Their attraction to each other is both physical and emotional, and it is a central
driving force of the story.
The film also explores the darker side of sexuality, particularly in its portrayal of the Duke,
who is obsessed with possessing and controlling Satine. He uses his wealth and power to
manipulate and exploit her, and his desire for her is characterized by a twisted and
dangerous sexuality that ultimately leads to tragedy.
The theme of sexuality is also explored in the film's visual style, which is marked by a
flamboyant and extravagant use of color, costume, and set design. The Moulin Rouge itself
is a place of sexual expression and liberation, where performers and patrons alike can
explore their desires and indulge in their passions.
Overall, the film's treatment of sexuality is marked by a celebration of passion and desire, as
well as a recognition of the dangers and risks that can come with exploring these feelings. It
suggests that true freedom and fulfillment can only be achieved by embracing our sexual
natures and finding the courage to express ourselves honestly and authentically.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Moulin Rouge is a complex and multi-layered film that explores a range of
themes related to age, sexuality, and class. Through an analysis of James O'Shaughnessy's
ideas about social conservatism and the role of the state in shaping society, we can gain a
deeper understanding of the film's themes and social commentary. O'Shaughnessy's work
on age and class sheds light on the power dynamics between characters in the film and how
their social status shapes their interactions and opportunities. Similarly, his broader ideas
about the importance of shared values and social order can help us understand the ways in
which the film engages with changing attitudes toward sexuality and individualism. Overall,
Moulin Rouge is a rich and thought-provoking work that raises important questions about the
nature of society and the role of art in challenging or reinforcing social norms. Through an
analysis of the film's themes and use of ideology, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its
significance and relevance to contemporary social and political debates.