Black Swan

[TemptressToo]

I'm personally looking forward to it.

 

Think I'm going to gather some of my favorite classmates and head to the theaters for a dancers night out.

 

Anyone know anything about the body doubles/dancers used?

[Mazenderan]

I find some of the language used in interviews and publicity a bit troubling, especially for younger dancers. No-one doubts that ballet is probably one of the most physically demanding occupations a person could have, but I think phrases like 'scary skinny' and 'extreme diet' might well be problematic. Portman comments in one interview that she was 'living on carrots and almonds' The director mentioned that the filming was extended due to lack of funds and said that "(Portman) was the one who suffered the most from not eating." Then, after it finished, she says she ate 'loads of pasta' - like pasta is a guilty treat, instead of a healthy food.

 

I don't know. I'm sure the film itself will be good, but I think it raises some issues.

 

The body doubles were apparently Sarah Lane and Kimberly Prosa for Portman and Maria Ricetto for Kunis.

[TemptressToo]

This is an adult forum, and the film is rated R...so I didn't think the subject matter would be beyond this forum's audience.

 

I read the diet was just to get the right "look" on the body for the girls. They had to look the part and it isn't the first time an actor/actress went to the extreme to fit the part.

 

Portman and Kunis both lost X pounds. I'm really interested to see how they hold up under the professional scrutiny of real dancers. The average joe would be like "wow" while we, the dancers and critics will either laugh or roll our eyes.

 

Portman danced as a child, so I'm wondering if she'll look technically better in comparison to Kunis who had no (or little) formal dance training.

 

Now I don't like scary movies...so I'm hoping the creepy feather from the back and bloodshot eyes thing is minimal. LOL!

Edited November 30, 2010 by dancemaven
BT4D policy regarding weight discussion.

[Je Suis Aimee]

I'm dying to see this, but on the film's website, it doesn't list that it will be shown in my city just yet. Which is weird, because my local theater had the poster up. Ugh, hurry up and get here already! But, I did order the limited edition Yumiko leotards from the movie to tide myself over.

[dancemaven]

Although this IS an Adult Forum, please do keep in mind that the Forum is accessible to young dancers (and visitors) as 'Read Only'.

[TemptressToo]

No worries, I won't be discussing (and I doubt anyone else will either) the more risque portions of the movie.

[Mazenderan]

This is an adult forum, and the film is rated R...so I didn't think the subject matter would be beyond this forum's audience.

 

Hey I wasn't referring to the adult content, or forum members reading the thread - I was referring to the body image stuff that is raised in the interviews on the net and elsewhere.

 

I read the diet was just to get the right "look" on the body for the girls. They had to look the part and it isn't the first time an actor/actress went to the extreme to fit the part.

 

I think this is true. I just don't like the idea of younger dancers reading the details and simply taking from it 'oh - a carrots and almonds are the way to a ballerina body'.

Portman and Kunis both lost X pounds. I'm really interested to see how they hold up under the professional scrutiny of real dancers. The average joe would be like "wow" while we, the dancers and critics will either laugh or roll our eyes. smile.gif

 

I noticed in the trailer that Portman has her hair in a bun a lot - Hollywood's shorthand for a ballet dancer.

[luceroblanco]

I saw the film 2 months ago in a film festival in my city. I would not recommend it for children or even some teenagers--especially those that are dancers. The innuendo is way too strong for anyone younger than 16 and the psychological issues would also be triggering and inappropriate for most young and adolescent dancers to see on the screen, particularly if they are sheltered or home schooled.

 

I don't want to give any spoilers--but there are a lot of typical problems that ballerinas experience that are the center of the plot. I thought it was an amazing movie, but this is NOT a feel good, inspirational dance movie. Far from it. It is not uplifting. The psychological stuff is much more important than the actual dancing. Don't expect to pay much attention even to the dancing.

[TemptressToo]

Most psychological thrillers aren't "feel good" movies. The ballet girl in me is concerned about hair and makeup and costuming and, of course, actual dancing.

 

So....go out for chocolate fondue immediately after the move?

[horselover]

I just heard an interview with Natalie Portman on NPR. Geez, based on what she said it makes the "real" ballet world sound like some sort of torture chamber... stretching limbs for the right "look," tortuous turnout, dieting for the skinny "ballet" look, broken toes, lost toenails, toes "stuck together"... not to mention dancers who dance with all sorts of horrible injuries just to stay in their roles. If this is the real ballet, I'd like my dd to focus on basketball instead!

[luceroblanco]

I'm sorry my other post doubled. I don't know why that happened. I guess a MOD will delete one of them. I agree with your assessment, horselover, which is why I said that in my opinion it's not suitable for children or adolescents, especially teenagers who are dancers themselves. I think that at that level of maturity, even if they are used to seeing R rated movies, I don't see how it would be helpful for a teenage dancer to see it since it shows all the negatives in ballet and none of the positives. It would be discouraging to them. I think that the film is not necessarily the reality of all ballerinas or ballet students, but it is the reality of some of them, and the girl in the movie is an extreme case. Adults can deal with this but a lot of young people would be confused and disheartened.

 

The idea of chocolate fondue sounds wonderful! There is a fondue restaurant near me but I have never gone...

[horselover]

<<I think that the film is not necessarily the reality of all ballerinas or ballet students, but it is the reality of some of them, and the girl in the movie is an extreme case. Adults can deal with this but a lot of young people would be confused and disheartened. >>

 

Good point about the movie but I think what alarms me goes deeper than a simple movie. If this really is what's going on out there I think it behooves the ballet community to work harder to change this and ferret out those extreme cases. I guess it's like everything though... the harsher it is and the more extreme the more interest it will generate. But I think this is more than bringing an adult perspective. I'm an adult and I'm confused and disheartened.

[lampwick]

I'm a big fan of Aronofsky's films and I'm DYING to see it. Does anyone know where to get advance tickets in SF? I want to go the day it opens:)

[TemptressToo]

I think that in real life "extreme" stories...a lot of the time you are hearing these tales from the dancers themselves. Often there is a difference between what really happened and that person's perception of what was happening...especially in people that are not mentally strong to begin with. I think there is a probably a little of this truth in the movie.

[Momof3darlings]

Toronto Sun Article on Black Swan

 

This is an adult forum, and the film is rated R...so I didn't think the subject matter would be beyond this forum's audience.

 

Like dancemaven--I'd like to remind everyone that while this is the Adult forum, it is still a public forum and since there seems to be a bit of caution others have given concerning some of the subject matter in the movie so as we have people see it, we should discuss like we would any other sensitive topic when the company is mixed in ages even if not included in the exact circle of conversation.