Aronofsky's Black Swan Promotion Begins

Darren Aronofsky is one of those directors that when you see their name attached to a project you stop and pay attention. Following Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, and The Wrestler, he is one of the most interesting filmmakers around. I knew that he was working on a new project I just did not know it was this far along. I had lost track of the progress, but now we have a poster and a trailer and I cannot wait to see the movie.


First, let's take a look at the poster. It is stark white and features a lone figure. Natalie Portman wearing a twisted looking tiara, white face paint, with dark lips and the image of black wings around her eyes. It is a haunting image that nightmares are likely to produce. At the same time it is strikingly beautiful. It certainly makes the movie appealing to me.



Now there is the trailer. We are introduced to Nina (Portman), a ballerina about to become a featured dance for the troupe director (Vincent Cassel). However, there is another dancer making a push to take the lead, played by Mila Kunis. From there I see a descent into paranoia, fear, jealousy, and hallucinations (at least I am guessing that at this point. Simply put, the trailer looks absolutely amazing. Fantastic imagery, a strong cast and glimpses of some very good acting. See for yourself:



Here is the official synopsis:

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

In short, this is a movie to keep an eye out for. It is hard to deny how good this looks so far. The problem now is waiting for its December 1st release date.

Article first published as Aronofsky's Black Swan Promotion Begins on Blogcritics.