Strictly Ballroom Collection
Acknowledgement of Country
The NFSA acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways across Australia.
We pay respect to their Elders, past and present.
A life lived in fear is a life half lived.
How to navigate this exhibition... a quick run-through
It's easier than a Bogo Pogo!
Simply click on the dots and chapter headings on the left of your screen.
The arrow controls at bottom left and right of screen allow you to move back and forward between slides within each chapter.
You can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate.
We hope you enjoy this exhibition!
He resorted to his own flashy, crowd-pleasing steps!
Strictly Daring
'There's never been a film like it!'
The Morning After
Cannes Film Festival
And the award goes to...
Cleaning up at the AFI Awards
AFI wins and nominations
Strictly Ballroom received 13 nominations and won eight awards, including Best Film and Best Director.
A Global Smash
The roaring success of Strictly Ballroom didn't stop at the AFI awards.
Along with many other international and local award wins, the film received eight BAFTA nominations in 1993, resulting in three wins, plus a Golden Globe nod in 1994, sealing its place as a global smash hit.
Listen to the rhythm. Don't be scared.
Looking back...
25 Years of Strictly Ballroom
First Timers
It was Baz's Story
'A microcosm for the world at large'
Great dancing, great drama!
He started doing his own thing... improvising.
Diabolical Beauty
Catherine Martin's Design
Costume Sketches by Designer Angus Strathie

A sketch of the costume worn by Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio) in 'that Samba' scene, where he resorted to his own flashy, crowd-pleasing steps.
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Before the very unfortunate Pam Short broke both her legs, she wore this pink and white gown to dance with partner Ken Railings.
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One of the costumes worn by 'Ballroom King' and owner of Ken's Spa-Rama, Ken Railings, played by John Hannan.
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Liz Holt (Gia Carides) wore this ballroom gown, in her signature yellow, to partner Scott in the opening scenes of the film.
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Angus Strathie's sketch of the red-hot, beaded and ruffled dress worn by Fran (Tara Morice) for that iconic paso doble.
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Costume worn by ballroom champion Tina Sparkle (Sonia Kruger). Tina wore this costume while partnered with Ken Railings.
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Tina Sparkle's colourful ensemble from her 'fruity rhumba' with partner Nathan Starkey (Todd McKenney).
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Following that 'fruity rhumba', Nathan Starkey hung up his dancing shoes, shelved his green ostrich feathers and left poor Tina Sparkle wondering, 'Who am I going to dance with?'.
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Scott's mother, Shirley Hastings (played by Pat Thomson), got the chance to kick up her heels in this knee-length dress during the flashback scenes in the film.
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Aside from looking absolutely adorable in pink and black, Kylie and Luke provide much of the comic relief in the film. That was unexpected!
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Location location
A prime location in the inner-west suburb of Marrickville, with rooftop views of Sydney's skyline, was chosen for Kendall's Dance Studio. Catherine Martin loved the iconic Coca-Cola sign in Sydney's Kings Cross and decided to build her own version for the top of the dance studio and have Coca-Cola pitch in to pay for it!
Throw in a Hills Hoist clothesline for a strictly Aussie touch, and the result was a gorgeous backdrop for some of the most beautiful scenes in the film.
People often ask...
Where is Fran's House?
Fran's family home and milk bar was purpose-built from scratch in Pyrmont, a Sydney suburb near Darling Harbour. The site was an old railway goods
yard and was very rundown at the time. The most expensive scene in the film was shot here, involving a train going past the rear of the house.
The milk bar set was so convincing that a group of workers in hi-vis gear entered one day during the shoot and tried to order lunch.
The rhumba is the dance of love. Look at me like you're in love.
Dance rehearsals
Paul and Tara talk flamenco
Strictly Ballroom
Tara and Paul: Learning Ballroom
'You're a Matador'
John O'Connell Choreography
Images from the Pan Pacific Grand Prix

Ken Railings (John Hannan) and Tina Sparkle (Sonia Kruger).
Click on images to expand.

Vanessa (Leonie Page), Liz (Gia Carides) and Tina (Sonia Kruger).

Doug and Shirley Hastings, played by Barry Otto and Pat Thomson.

Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio) and Liz Holt (Gia Carides).

Scott (Paul Mercurio) and Fran (Tara Morice).

Tina Sparkle, played by Sonia Kruger.

Liz Holt (Gia Carides) dances with Fran's father Rico (Antonio Vargas).
And it's something that I must believe in,
and it's there when I look in your eyes.
Love is in the Air
JPY Live at the AFI Awards
Ballroom Mix
Reviving a 1970s hit
She sings as well...
Recording 'Time After Time'
Labour of Love
Embracing the World of Ballroom
That was unexpected.
Did you know...
Quotable Quotes













Acknowledgements
With special thanks to Tristram Miall, Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice and John O'Connell.
Thanks also to Albert Music, John Paul Young, David Hirschfelder, Australian Film Institute / Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Collingwood.
'Love is in the Air' by Vanda/Young, Performed by John Paul Young © Boomerang Investments Pty Ltd admin by BMG AM Pty Ltd, Licensed courtesy of BMG AM Pty Ltd.
- Exhibition producer: Mel Bondfield
- Curatorial: Jennifer Coombes
- Film compilations: Richard Carter
- Filmed interviews: Michael Karris, Matt Jasper
- Filmed interview editing: Michael Karris
- Clearances: Bronwyn Dowdall, Anna Yates
- Oral History, Sound recordist: Bronwyn Murphy
- Document photography: Darren Weinert
- Design elements: Cameron Emerson-Elliott
Explore our Strictly Ballroom curated collection.