Moviemaker Baz Luhrmann has defended his right to blow a huge budget on shooting his new epic Australia - insisting the movie will cheer up people affected by the global credit crisis.

The Moulin Rouge! Film maker has promised to dazzle audiences with his World War II romance - starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman - set in his beloved homeland when it hits cinemas worldwide next month. And Luhrmann believes he was right to spend $130 million on the four-year project in a time when people are struggling to make ends meet - as he is adamant film fans will come away feeling uplifted.

He says, "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."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)