Venice just loves Darren Aronofsky. In 2008, the director was a Golden Lion recipient at the 65th annual Venice Film Festival for The Wrestler. Now, his latest, Black Swan, will be the opening night selection for the 67th annual Venice International Film Festival.
Swan is a psychological thriller about an accomplished ballerina, Nina (Natalie Portman), who is picked as the lead in a NYC production of Swan Lake. Things become complicated when her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey) pushes her to succeed and her manipulative dance instructor (Vincent Cassel) wants her to be more seductive and loose in her performance.
Another wrinkle is the arrival of Lily (Mila Kunis), a dancer who exhibits the sexuality that Nina clearly lacks. Nina begins to obsess over Lily as the two have an unusual relationship.
In a USA TODAY article, Natalie Portman had this to say about her troubled character, Nina:
“The character was very interesting to play, always challenging and surprising. The fact that I had spent so much time with the idea — Darren and I started discussing doing the film in 2000 — allowed it to marinate a little before we shot.”
From what I’ve read, Black Swan looks to be a cross between All About Eve and 1948’s The Red Shoes with gothic undertones. I am a little amused that Portman’s character is one that lacks sexuality, after she got an Oscar nomination for playing a stripper in 2004’s Closer. Portman studied ballet until the age of 13 and has always wanted to do a dance film. To gear up for the role she trained with a veteran performer of the New York City Ballet.
Her co-star, Kunis, unfortunately had no background in dance. For her preparation, she trained twenty-eight hours a week for several months.
Below are several photos from the film that were featured in USA TODAY.
