Black Swan Sweeps Up Four Major Film Independent Spirit Awards

Debi Moore   |  

Feb 27, 2011

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Now this is some award show news we are definitely happy to report! Black Swan took home four major prizes from the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Fox Searchlight’s Black Swan won awards for best picture, best actress for Natalie Portman, best director for Darren Aronofsky, and best cinematography for Matthew Libatique. Aronofsky said he has been blessed with fearless actors in all of his films and had some special praise for his star: “To have this incredible performer give you everything she’s got and then train for a year. I’ll always be in debt to Miss Natalie Portman.”

Other winners include James Franco for best actor in 127 Hours and Exit Through the Gift Shop for best documentary. Sadly, the elusive Banksy was a no-show. For the full list of winners visit the official Spirit Awards website.

Official Synopsis:
Set in the world of New York City ballet, BLACK SWAN stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a featured dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company (Mila Kunis). A Fox Searchlight Pictures release by visionary director Darren Aronofsky (THE WRESTLER), BLACK SWAN takes a thrilling and at times terrifying journey through the psyche of a young ballerina whose starring role as the duplicitous swan queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect. The script was written by Mark Heyman and Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin.

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), 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 retired ballerina mother, Erica (Barbara Hershey), who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona 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 with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

– Debi Moore

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