Australia rolls out red carpet
THERE may have been a shortage of A-listers at the premiere of Australia in Bowen last night, but it didn't matter.
There was enough glitz and glamour at the Summergarden Cinema, to make everyone feel like stars.
The street outside the classic theatre was illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights, while a jazz band played, replicating a romantic scene from the Baz Luhrmann epic.
The invite-only crowd of about 100 guests dressed in their finest black and white, partied like it was the Academy Awards and were made to fell like they were $1 million dollars as each guest walked down the red carpet.
In Sydney, fans waited for hours in the rain and traffic was brought to a standstill as Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman headlined the world premiere of Australia.
George Street in Sydney's CBD was closed as 3000 invited guests strolled the carpet for the premiere of one of the most anticipated local films ever.
Thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of Kidman, who dazzled in a short white beaded dress, posing for photographs and signed autographs.
She joined co-stars on the carpet including Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown, David Wenham, 13-year-old Brandon Walters, Jack Thompson, director Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin.
The hype surrounding Australia has been intense but there is more riding on the film than just its box-office results.
The ailing Queensland tourism industry is hoping to ride on the coat-tails of the movie and the associated $40 million advertising campaign aiming lure more overseas visitors Down Under.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Rob Giason believes the combinaion will be a winner.
"I believe it is certainly an inspiring campaign," Mr Giason told The Cairns Post last month.
The stars of the movie had waited until last night to see the finished film.
Hugh Jackman said it was his greatest role, while Nicole Kidman, who worked with Baz Luhrmann on Moulin Rouge, said it was the film she had always dreamed of making.
"This is a celebration for me and hopefully for this country," she said.
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A-list premiere: Stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman walked the red carpet in front of thousands of fans in Sydney.
Party night: An invitation-only crowd of about 100 people watched the premiere in Bowen.
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