Arts & Entertainment

Baz Luhrmann brings king of rock Elvis Presley back to life

Cannes, France, May 26 (EFE).- Australian director Baz Luhrmann has brought back to life the king of rock Elvis Presley with his latest movie Elvis, a chronicle on the artist’s life on and off the stage.

The film, which will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival out of competition, explores the complex and toxic relationship between Presely and his manager Colonel Parker, played by American actor Tom Hanks, over the course of 20 years.

Luhrmann said he took inspiration for Elvis from American director Milos Forman’s film Amadeus.

The film is narrated by Parker and shows the controversial figure in Presely’s life that was responsible for both his rise and fall.

Meanwhile, young actor Austin Butler, who plays Elvis, said he watched videos of Presely on loop to analyze his movements, postures and intonations.

“There’s never been a person who I’ve never met who I’ve loved more than Elvis,” Butler said.

His hard work was valued, especially by Presely’s ex-wife Priscilla Presley, who told Butler in a letter she had not been prepared to feel Elvis alive on the big screen through Butler’s every breath and movement.

“I’ve lived with him now for three years, so the feeling of doing him justice, justice to his legacy and really bring life to this extraordinary man (…) I could not be more overjoyed.”

The film also reflects American society in the 1930s and shows how Elvis growing up in black neighborhoods in Mississippi influenced his persona and music. EFE

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