Baz Luhrmann directs this remake of the 1952 musical about a Parisian cabaret club called the Moulin Rouge. Struggling British writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) relocates to the Montmartre district of Paris in the hope that being among other bohemian writers will inspire him to complete his latest novel. When he meets his neighbours, a troupe of performers led by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo), Christian lends his writing skills to finish their work-in-progress show; when complete, the troupe hope to sell their show to the Moulin Rouge, the most decadent club in Paris.

On his first visit to the club, Christian finds himself falling hopelessly in love with dancer and courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman). As the two grow closer, events conspire to keep the young lovers apart, including the fact that Satine has been promised to the Duke of Monroth (Richard Roxburgh). The cast also includes Jim Broadbent as owner of the Moulin Rouge Harold Zidler and Kylie Minogue as the Green Fairy.