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USA, 2010, 103 Minute Running Time Program: Red Carpet PresentationsLanguage: English
DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky Producer: Jennifer Roth (executive), Arnold MesserEditor: Andrew WeisblumScreenwriter: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John McLaughlinCinematographer: Matthew LibatiquePrincipal Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Vincent Cassel
The obsessive world of classical ballet clearly holds as much allure for filmmaker Darren Aronofsky as have the professional wrestling ring (The Wrestler, SDFF31) and the terrors of drug addiction (Requiem for a Dream, SDFF23)—and in this dark psychological drama he exploits all of its possibilities, onstage and backstage. Calling up allusions to everything from The Red Shoes to All About Eve to The Phantom of the Opera, Aronofsky once more weaves a compelling web of manipulation, madness and disorder. As the artistic director of a major New York dance company, cunning Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) has his hands full: after firing his temperamental prima ballerina (Winona Ryder), he decides to create a radical new production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake focusing on the duality of the Swan Queen—the fresh innocence of the White Swan and the sensuality of the Black Swan. Enter two competing dancers hellbent to fill the starring role—the driven but protected Nina (Natalie Portman), for whom ballet is the entire world, and the alluring Lily (Mila Kunis), who gives off all the heat Nina lacks. For Aronofsky, their rivalry constitutes a perfect opportunity to blur the distinctions between fantasy and reality: as they develop a strange bond, running amok with drugs and sex, Nina undergoes a frightening transformation. Barbara Hershey costars as Nina's demanding backstage mother; the impressive choreography comes courtesy of New York Ballet star Benjamin Millepied; and Tchaikovsky's timeless music haunts the surreal, nearly paranoid tone the film takes on as the night of the fateful premiere approaches. —Bill Gallo Followed by Denver Magazine's Last Reel Party. Denver Dry Building (15th and California) This blockbuster party to celebrate the conclusion of the Starz Denver Film Festival will feature live music, decadent bites and amazing liquor lounges. Entertainment by DJ Dody. Cocktail Attire. To purchase party only tickets go to
www.denvermagazine.com/LastReel.