Mark Anthony Luhrmann or Baz Luhrmann ( September 17 , 1962 - ) is a flamboyant Australian movie and theater director . He has directed three movies ( The Red Curtain Trilogy ) which have made him famous : Strictly Ballroom ( 1992 ) , Romeo + Juliet ( 1996 ) , and Moulin Rouge ! Mark Anthony `` Baz '' Luhrmann ( Ë bÃ z Ë lÊ É rmÉ n ; born 17 September 1962 ) is an Australian film director , screenwriter , and producer best known for The Red Curtain Trilogy , which includes his films Strictly Ballroom , William Shakespeare 's Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge ! .