Black Swan

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I just want to be perfect. (Nina)


The Black Swan, a psychotically nightmarish movie, is directed by Derran Aronofsky. The story Line of the Black Swan goes like this , " Nina (Portman) is 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 obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (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 - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures  " ( IMBD )




In every synopsis they keep referring to the 'dark side'. But what is this? Everyone knows what the White Swan is for. But what about the Black Swan? Is it like Typical Black and Evil? I don't think so. The Black here doesn't refer to the bad and evil. Black Swan is a symbol of desires. The desire may not be Dark always. It can be anything. Like, a wish to be the Swan Queen. The White Swan is beautiful, fragile, shy, fearful. It would want to become the Swan Queen but at the same time, feel guilty about Taking someone else's place. 

Black Swan is Id - the desires. White Swan is Super Ego - the control and discipline. White Swan says to itself - Behave Yourself. While The Black Swan says - Live a Little. White Swan wants to be Perfect but it is not possible until it recognizes its Twin, the Black Swan. Because Perfection requires Amalgamation of Both the Sides of your Being. 

"Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence. And very few have it in them. " 

Hats Off - To Andres Heinz who wrote the original screenplay "The Understudy" , on which the Black Swan is based.

P.S. - If I would go on talking about it , I would land somewhere else. The movie has terribly changed something in me. I feel the kind of Second Birth thing with me. If someday, I get a chance to make a movie, it would be like Black Swan.