Black Swanis a psychological horror film released in 2010 and was directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film revolves around a ballet company's production of Swan Lake and the battle for the lead role between the company's insecure star and a new arrival.
The film stars Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder. Aronofsky considers the film a companion piece to his earlier movie The Wrestler as both films look at performers pushing themselves to attain a higher standard in their respective art-forms. Released to rabid expectation, the film was a hit with critics and went on to win several awards including a Best Actress Oscar for Portman. The film also earned more than $329 million worldwide although the film did generate controversy from some professional ballet dancers about portraying the world of ballet as well as how much of the dancing shown on screen was performed by Portman instead of a double. 28-year-old Nina Sayers is a dancer at a prestigious New York ballet company and is gearing up for the new season with a production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. After the company's prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre is forced to pull out for the lead, artistic director Thomas Leroy announces open auditions and Nina puts herself forward. The lead role is a dual part for the White Swan - innocent and pure - and the more seductive Black Swan.