Luhrmann defends 'Australia' budget

Director Baz Luhrmann has revealed that he hopes his epic Australia will offer moviegoers an escape from the global financial crisis.

The 160-minute feature, which stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, cost in excess of £80 million and is the most expensive film ever to have been made in his homeland Australia.

However, Reuters quotes Luhrmann as saying in reference to the credit crunch: "In a world where there's a lot of fear, I hope you can come out of the cinema after a few hours and feel like its been an enriching experience.

"If you get a little bit of that and you have been entertained, then that is enough for me."

More than four years in the making, Luhrmann described the premiere of "his child" Australia last week as a bittersweet occasion.