Aaron Darronofsky’s Black Swan (2010) is an attractive visible rendition of how perfection means putting a stability between the darkness and the sunshine in you. The narrative explores nature’s duality each philosophically and visually, by means of Nina’s (Natalie Portman) journey, as she lastly transforms into the Black Swan, however at the price of her personal life.
On this article, we’re analyzing how each scene and nearly each body within the Black Swan realigns the narrative to its central theme, nature’s duality.
The Story
Black Swan follows Nina, a ballet dancer on the New York Metropolis Ballet Firm. Formidable and proficient, Nina’s id facilities on her artwork. When the corporate proclaims a brand new present, their very own rendition of the Black Swan, and the director proclaims that he’s in search of a lead, Nina is set to nab the function.
Within the audition, Nina realizes that whereas she is completely encapsulating the essence of the White Swan, Odette, she is way from being the Black Swan, Odelia, regardless of her expertise, expertise, and years of observe. Understanding that the director is hell-bent on casting a single dancer to play each roles, Nina begins a determined pursuit of perfection in her artwork.
Even after bagging the half, Nina remains to be unable to encapsulate the Black Swan. Her obsession with perfection and ambition begins taking a toll on her psychological well being. Issues go from dangerous to worse when Lily (Mila Kunis), a proficient and promising dancer however a relatively newer addition to the ballet troupe, reveals a naturalistic sync with the function of the Black Swan, proving herself to be the worthier alternative for the Black Swan.
Seeing her carefree poise and seductive grace, Nina begins to understand her as a threatening rival, changing into an increasing number of insecure with each passing day. As she loses herself in her pursuit of perfection, she begins to hallucinate her interior darkness, in her personal form and kind, repeatedly shadowing her. Be it at observe, dress-fitting, or in her bathtub, the darkish Nina is in all places, psychologically tormenting her simply by her mere presence. Amidst her psychological turmoil, she juggles her overbearing mom, aggressive fellow dancers, and a demanding director till she transforms into the Black Swan completely, however at the price of her life.
How Black Swan Unveils Its Duality Scene by Scene
Let’s start unveiling the duality that lies snugly hidden within the story construction.
Underlying Duality in Nina
Nina is shy, composed, and poised. She strives to dive into the small print of her artwork to good each little side of her dance. She is disciplined, soft-spoken, and fragile. She by no means goes in opposition to what is predicted of her and infrequently lives for herself, past the ballet. However the second she is obtainable the function, we start to get glimpses of the buried restlessness inside her. All through the story, whereas she outwardly embodies the White Swan, her jealousy, obsession, and competitiveness proceed to present us glimpses of the model of Nina that she is but to fulfill—the darkish Nina.
Though she feels such robust feelings which can be typically thought-about detrimental, she strongly resists breaking free from the cage she has made for herself, as if she is selecting to be fragile within the identify of being protected. Or possibly she was too snug in her delusion. In any case, the cowardice in her is in some way too evident to overlook. For example, when the outdated man within the subway brazenly begins touching himself within the metro, digging his eyes straight into Nina’s, she chooses to show her face away as a substitute of confronting him. Or when she doesn’t even attempt to battle the director’s resolution to switch her with another person for the function of Swan Queen, till he explicitly prompts her to battle for her place.
However did you discover how she didn’t assume earlier than confronting Lily instantly after she realized that she had been speaking to the director about her behind her again (though she stated good issues)? With these sequences all through the narrative, Aronofsky continues to remind us that we’re nearly equal elements gentle and darkness, and it’s smarter to embrace the darkness earlier than the sunshine overwhelms you.
Duality By Contrasts
The scenes are additionally designed with duality in thoughts. For example, each interplay between Lily and Nina focuses on highlighting the distinction between the 2.
Black Swan (2010)Credit score: Searchlight Footage
Be it on the observe or at dinner and clubbing, the distinction between the 2 girls is jarring, till Nina breaks out of her shell.
Black Swan (2010)Credit score: Searchlight Footage
Even the costumes are largely divided into blacks and whites, particularly in her rehearsals. The climax, i.e., the ballet present, can be visually checkered—blacks and whites, from costume to set design.
Duality By Visible Motifs
Visually, Aronofsky makes use of mirrors as his central visible motif to ascertain duality each probability he will get. Virtually each scene has outstanding utilization of mirrors that proceed to visually challenge Nina into twos, even earlier than her descent into insanity. For example, within the opening sequence, she is proven sitting earlier than a three-fold life-sized mirror, as she talks about her dream from the earlier evening. The place there is no such thing as a mirror, Aronofsky performs along with her reflection.
Black Swan (2010)Credit score: Searchlight Footage
Black Swan (2010)Credit score: Searchlight Footage
Nina is never alone, visually.
This relentless visible and narrative mirroring of the “yin-yang” idea compels audiences to expertise Nina’s duality as she does, seemingly in real-time.
The great thing about Black Swan lies in its visible metaphors. Be it duality, obsession, masochism, or self-discovery, Black Swan’s visible language is as robust as its storytelling. Have you ever watched Black Swan but? Tell us your favourite highlights from the film.
