Five reasons why "Moulin Rouge" is Postmodern

1. The main thing in "Moulin Rouge!" is not the plot, but the subtext. The plot was probably invented last. This picture is postmodern ironic, parodic confession of the creators of the film of a great love for cinema, musicals and for high class show business. 


2. In general, almost every episode (if not every frame) of "Moulin Rouge!" has subtext: references to F. Fellini, E. Kusturica, K.Russell etc. One of the supporting characters of Moulin Rouge is clearly parodying Freddie Mercury, a large musical number in the second half of the film uses a line from the group's most famous song –”Show must go on”. In addition to this, this film has a lot of ХХ century melodies in it.


3. "Moulin Rouge!"  is a musical which is a mixture of different and various genres.The first third of the film is an endless vortex clip, not a single frame lasts more than five seconds. The second third is filled with drama, bloody rhythms of tango- apache plays everywhere. The finale is a gloomy burlesque, everything is schizoid here- the heroine is almost dying on the stage under Indian tunes, the shots are rattling, the pistol that has been knocked out of hands is flying over Paris and bangs against the Eiffel Tower with a bottle knock. Paris looks ridiculous, cozy and doll-like, there is even a Melies Moon above the Eiffel Tower.


4. "Moulin Rouge!" constantly reminds that we are in the cinema. 


5. From the very start of the film the audience already know main part of the film, more specifically, we already know fate of two main characters of "Moulin Rouge!".  The audience knows it because the plot of this film is non-linear. One might as well say that the audience watch a story from the past of the main character.