LONDON (AFP) - Actors Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman swept up the red carpet in central London's Leicester Square on Wednesday for the British premiere of Baz Luhrmann's epic new movie, "Australia". Kidman braved the cold in a dazzling white dress as she appeared alongside Jackman " crowned "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine last month " and director, writer and producer Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin. The movie has received mixed reviews, in particular being criticised for offering a stereotyped view of Australia, but Kidman said: "I hope people like it and it makes them fall in love with my country. "I hope they realise it's funny and romantic and it's a popcorn movie." The Oscar-winning actress said she would particularly treasure the memory of living on location in the Outback, saying: "It was amazing." "I remember I'd watch the sunset and (husband) Keith (Urban) was there with me and I would say 'We are going to remember this for the rest of our lives.' It's imprinted now." Jackman said he was nothing like his stereotypical Aussie macho character, joking: "I'm not that tough. I actually fainted on the very first day of filming so that wasn't very cool. That kind of gave me away a little bit." With a budget in excess of 130 million dollars (83.4 million US), "Australia" is the most expensive movie ever made in Australia " touted as a blockbuster which could revive both the film and tourism industries Down Under. It follows the story of Kidman's character, who inherits an outback cattle station in the mid-1930s and who joins forces with the rugged drover played by Jackman to drive thousands of cattle across the inhospitable country. Luhrmann, who earlier directed "Moulin Rouge", said it was good to back in Britain, where he first made the big time with Australian dance hit "Strictly Ballroom" back in 1992. "I think there is a special relationship between Australia and England and actually my films were discovered here. Strictly Ballroom was discovered in London and it ran for 10 weeks at number one, it was so unexpected," he said. "And here I am back after all these years with this film. It feels good, it really does."