The movie opens upon Christian, a young writer, typing the story of his greatest love. In 1899 Paris, against the wishes of his father, Christian goes to Paris to pursue a writing career. When asked to write a musical for the Moulin Rouge theater, he goes to see the theater. There he meets Satine, a Parisian courtesan at the peak of her entertainment career. Innocent Christian and the beautiful Satine fall in love. Meanwhile, the owner of the Moulin Rouge solicits financial help from the wealthy Duke. The Duke will happily help, but only on the conditions that Satine is to be exclusively his. Becuase her career is her life, Satine is forced to break it off with Christian, lest the Duke find out and break the deal. Christian is heartbroken. As this love triangle plays out, viewers discover that Satine is hiding a secret that will change their lives forever.