Black Swan - possible new project

[oinone]

Maybe Venice. I'm not sure but Aronofsky won some prizes there right? He could be invited again..

[CHRIS B]

We Can't Wait #2: BLACK SWAN
The team here with the penultimate We Can't Wait: Summer and Beyond entry.

Black Swan
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Sebastian Stan

Aronofsky and Portman on set in NY

Synopsis: a Black Swan dons The Red Shoes... or: a New York-set psychological drama about a veteran ballerina Nina (Portman), who has just won the lead part in Swan Lake, and her fierce competition with new rival Lilly (Kunis) - but Nina goes into downward spiral: is Lilly real or just a figment of her imagination?

Brought to you by: Luke Skywalker's & Spock's moms, Meg Griffin, Gossip Boy Carter, Mickey Rourke's wrestling coach, and a feathered wave of expectation. Oh, and a variety of production folk.

Expected release date: late 2010 - or early 2011 (the gals practiced hard - it should be worth the wait)

Craig: The buzz on this one is fast heating up and will surely build further as more details surface. Although from Thursday's Cannes announcement it appears that it doesn't feature in this year's line-up, in-competition or otherwise (a low blow for Aronofsky after his success with The Wrestler?) - a decision that may well be roundly cheered/booed in equal measure by his hardcore devotees and vehement detractors respectively. I don't know, it always feels as if Aronofsky's films simply attract fierce comment just by the fact that it's him - he pushes people's buttons in extreme ways it seems. He's one of those came-to-prominence-in-the-early-'90s directors, like Tarantino, Fincher, Wes Anderson etc, that some folk seem to love to hate and hate to love. But each of his films, so far, has had a truly distinctive and widely changeable feel to them. But I'm guessing the bigger draw will be seeing Portman take another step on the road to more adult and complex roles, and her pairing up with Kunis. Ballet is shaping up to be the cinematic in-thing this year - who knew? Is it partly due to Cate Blanchett going all plié-happy for Benjamin Button last year? So guys, does Natalie and Mila doing a Pas de deux look like a career swan dive or time for take off? I'm hoping for Fight Club meets Suspiria...

Nathaniel: I can't even imagine Fight Club fused with Suspiria.

But I guess I love any film project by a big time visionary director that one can add a semi-colon and a 'girls gone wild' to. Black Swan: Girls Gone Wild. Yes? I actually don't mean that sarcastically, just psychologically. I love films about unravelling psyches and each of Aronofsky's films have been quite adept at conjuring vivid protagonists at the end of their ropes.

I actually don't want to know more about this one than I already do. I'm just dying to see how Aronofsky uses all of the actresses. Interesting cast.

Left: Portman Swanning about the set

Jason: Since I don't think David Gordon Green's remake of Suspiria is gonna happen - one remake of a movie I adore that seemed so insane as to seem can't-miss from inception - especially since it was supposed to star Portman and I can't see her doing back-to-back ballet films, I guess I'll just get my fix here. I really do like Natalie Portman, but more off-screen than on. I keep hoping she can channel what makes her seem like an interesting person in the real world that one would want to hang out with into a movie. This might not be the movie for that, exactly, but I root for her, is my point.


What this might be a movie for, I think, is... well, up in the air like a series of changements (That's apparently a type of jump in ballet! I looked it up. Consider this your lesson for the day, if it's new to you like it was for me). But whatever weirdness Aronofsky's got in store for us - and the weirder the film keeps sounding, the more excited I grow - I just know that I have loved every single frame of film that he's shot, and I will gobble each new one up insatiably.


Also, hot lesbian sex.

Jose: I wasn't a fan of Aronofsky until The Wrestler, which technically didn't make me a fan but showed me he can be visionary without being full of himself (like he was in all his previous films). If he manages to be as visually inventive and emotionally smart as he was in that movie, we're in for something great here. Then again I will approach Black Swan with care because he might fall back into extreme self indulgence. But I'm sure it's not easy to spoil something with that cast (Hershey, Ryder and Cassel together sound orgasmic) and I'm dying to see Portman release her inner nut (even in Closer she was too restrained), I'm hoping she shows us that going insane while wearing a tutu is the most fun a girl can have with her clothes on.

Craig: Girls Gone Wild! Hot lesbian sex! This sounds like it could be Aronofsky's entry into the new wave of exploitation flicks. Forget Grindhouse - this is DanceHaus! (Something tells me Lady GaGa might dig this film). But if this turns out to be Haute tension in ballet shoes or Mulholland Dr. with LA's Hollywood of broken dreams changed for NY's ballet stage of high hopes then I'll be happy. Of course, I may have expectations for this that may well never materialise... and Jason, that'll be all-round bad news if Suspiria mark 2 doesn't get the go ahead. Ya wait for one bleak ballet-themed film to come along... could two at once be one too many?

I'm definitely angling for Aronofsky to return to the visual grittiness of Pi and Requiem for a Dream for this, more so than the golden-hued fantasyland of The Fountain. Aronofsky certainly seems to be delving into psychological and (hopefully) Gothic waters with his subject matter here, unless I'm reading the buzz all wrong, which may be the case. I mean, he's even cast a formidable quartet of raven-haired ladies in it.


Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky


Robert: Between this and The Kids are All Right, lesbians could be the theme for 2010. Hell, this could single-handedly save the movie industry. Forget 3D!

I admit that despite usually disliking overly bombastic films, I'm a maniacally proud Aronofsky fanboy. I'm glad that after the low key-ness of The Wrestler, people haven't forgotten that he's a real visual artist and I'm looking forward to whatever inventiveness he has in store for us with this one. Really, I'm giddy, especially after hearing one supposed insider describe it as "The Red Shoes meets Repulsion." (Suspiria meets Fight Club also good!) The aggressive lesbian ballerina sex is clearly what's gotten most of the attention so far and I'm not one to argue. I think if any other film were hyping up the girl-on-girl this much, I'd roll my eyes in annoyance. But in this case, whatever get's the asses in the seats and raises Mr. Aronofsky's profile. I'll be buying my ticket based on my love for Darren. The hot lesbian action will just be a bonus (though as I have 'Nam-like flashbacks to Requiem for a Dream, I wonder if we may be overestimating the eroticness of it all).

Dave: The Red Shoes instantly comes to my mind when thinking of deranged ballerinas; not that I want this to be a film they might as well have called 'The Black Shoes', I'm sure Aronofsky has something a bit different up his sleeves. (Not least the hot lesbian sex.) My mother is a ballet obsessive, so I grew up surrounded by images of ruffled tutus and pink ballet shoes round every corner. So to an extent I suppose I hope that Black Swan will unpack my childhood and reveal all the dirt and kinkiness I was too young to see. Swan Lake is the obvious reference point here, so I'm intrigued by just how strongly that story will work into what's hopefully a sea of psychological perversity.

The cast fascinates me. I look at it and it seems like such a strange collection of people; but I can see it working so, so gloriously. It seems like a cast that, for one reason or another, haven't really 'delivered' in a while, but Aronofsky showed last time around how he can boost any flagging career. Oh, and for giving Mila Kunis her first (hopefully) plum role - Darren, I salute you.

Craig: Clint Mansell is again doing the score for Aronofsky and apparently he's integrating some of the musical themes from Swan Lake into it. Music has always played a really integral part in Aronofsky's films and this has the possibility to make for their most intriguing collaboration yet. Imagine that cascading, ominous score for Requiem being woven into Swan Lake - it could be fierce...

So, who wants to see Portman pirouette into personality-shifting oblivion, or who wants to see her give Kunis the kiss-off?

http://filmexperience.blo...nt-wait-2-black-swan.html

[oinone]

When we see a trailer or stills? I'm dying for that.

[CHRIS B]

Nothing spectacular, just a photo of Darren editing the film. This shot is of Natalie Portman.

[oinone]

Do it quickly Darren! I'm so excited about a trailer!!

[oinone]

I found it in imdb forum. It's a brief translation a interview of Darren Aronofsky by Vincent Cassell in French.

I'm glad to hear that part: "Darren A. tells than the scripts on the net are all wrong" Because Winona's role looked very simple.

Darren A. says he is a fan of Cassel since La Haine, a cult film for him. He specially loved Cassel's intense style of acting, and followed his career. When he wrote the script of Black Swan, he thought to Cassel for Yevna, because he loves the he Cassel moves as a dancer in his movies.


Darren A. tells than the scripts on the net are all wrong, and he doesnt want to give the real story of Black Swan. He explains than Black Swan is a natural sequel of The Wrestler : dancers also use their body for their art. He tells Classic Dance is a matter of blood and tears, and the world of ballet is always hiding tragedies. Black Swan will be more than tragic, really terrifying.

Then Cassel explains how he prepared his role of choregraph, and Mila Kunis tells how the preparation for the movie has been terribly painful for her (physically).
Natalie Portman says than the ballet's world looks like Rosemary's Baby.

In the interview of Darren A., the director says for the moment he is working on the famous sex scene between Mila and Natalie, and thinks it is really very sexy. He is just working on his film as a sculptor, he is making a sort of pre-movie, and then works on it to perfect it. He is just finishing the firts half of the first part.

Darren explains than he is considering himself as full of a great european influence, even if his culture has been feeded with american Blockbusters, with also an intense urban new yorker mood.He feels really very close of Vincent's generaton and esthetic.

He says than Vincent's prestation in the movie works very well.

Then Darren A. speaks about indie american movies, and how difficult it is today to get some money for them. Big studios only want to finance kind of Avatar movies. But the Fox is arrived and decided finally to contribute , and for the moment they appreciate what they have seen of the movie.
Then Darren send a photo of Vincent in the movie and Vincent feels moved because he looks like his father JeanPierre Cassel on the photo.

http://www.imdb.com/title.../board/nest/162983254?p=2

[CHRIS B]

Venice poised to trump Cannes

Cannes 2010 - Along with having Quentin Tarantino as jury head, this year's Venice film festival looks set to top the Croisette - with several high profile Cannes no-shows likely to be ready for screening.

Top of the list is Terence Malick's Sean Penn-Brad Pitt collab The Tree Of Life, which was hotly tipped for Cannes but ultimately wasn't finished in time for selection.

Darren Aronofsky's latest, Black Swan, a psychological thriller following rival dancers Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis (a.k.a The One With The Aggressive Lesbian Sex) is also on the cards.

Other likely contenders at Venice include Colin Firth-starring George VI biopic The King's Speech, Clint Eastwood's Hereafter, Danny Boyle's 127 Hours, Anton Corbijn's The American and Julian Schnabel's Miral.
This year's Venice Film Festival runs from 1-11 September/

Think Venice could be the new Cannes?

[CHRIS B]

Where Is Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Black Swan’?

We’re still waiting on the official release date for Darren Aronofsky’s supernatural thriller Black Swan starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis – so what’s the hold up?

We have not reported much on the Darren Aronofsky supernatural thriller Black Swan because, well, there hasn’t been much to report. The film has been in post-production since early February and we are still waiting on a release date.

I read the script a few months ago. After all, the buzz surrounding the film was intriguing. The two stars, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, were to engage in a heated embrace – destined to get audiences in a frenzy. On the merit of that rumor, and my own personal admiration for Darren Aronofsky’s writing, I flew through the screenplay in less than an hour and wanted to read it again.

Black Swan deals with some serious issues of rivalry and jealousy. At times, it reminds you of Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige. In addition to the rivalry, it also finds a way to connect the audience with ballerinas. Many felt magic was a laughable profession until The Prestige showed a more serious side. Black Swan finds a way to do the same for ballet.

Take this movie seriously. The story is riveting, exciting and definitely controversial. Yet, amidst all that hype, it is grounded in a sort of dramatic world that is believable and engaging. So, how can a script that produces so many positive adjectives still be in the shadows of Hollywood?

I understand that Black Swan is not Thor or Batman 3. There are no hordes of fans itching to learn the next bit of information about the film – but that may be Fox Searchlight’s fault. Do they not realize what a gem they’ve got on their hands? Why has the production company not released any information on the film besides the generic listings on IMDb?

The obvious assumptions come to mind – editing problems, budget fiasco, re-shoots, etc. After all, Aronfosky is no stranger to production holdups. Brad Pitt was supposed to star in The Fountain before creative differences and a contract holdout halted production. Hugh Jackman joined the project, saved the day and now the film is as cherished as it is hated.

But the point is, we have yet to hear a single word uttered about Black Swan. While it may have the skin of an independent drama, it has the actors and writing of a movie people will talk about well into awards season. There is still a good six months left in 2010. It shouldn’t take more than two of those to promote this film. But I find it hard to believe the team behind Black Swan can announce a date and garner the interest necessary to release an acclaimed film.

What do you think of Black Swan? Are you aching for a late-2010 release? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

http://screenrant.com/dar...s-black-swan-mikee-66056/

[oinone]

Btw I wonder that didn't Anorofsky write screenplay with someone? Now imdb says he didn't. There are only Andres Heinz and Mark Heyman.

[CHRIS B]

Venice circles Aronofsky's 'Swan'
Affleck, Reichardt, Tykwer pix may screen
By NICK VIVARELLIWe Recommend...

ROME -- Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" is among the latest near certainties in a new clutch of hotly anticipated titles tipped to unspool at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, along with new works by Ben Affleck, Kelly Reichardt, Tom Tykwer, Takashi Miike and Tsui Hark.
With the official lineup set to be announced July 29, artistic director Marco Mueller seems to have assembled a strong and well-assorted selection with robust English-language and European showings, a standout Asian presence, and Spanish-language cinema also slotted.

"Black Swan," a supernatural thriller set in the world of ballet, is likely to be the Venice opener, providing plenty of star power, with Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder and Vincent Cassel potentially in tow.

Fox Searchlight's test screenings for "Swan" have reportedly been generating plenty of buzz.

"The Town" is Affleck's sophomore feature as director, after "Gone Baby Gone." Affleck also stars as a bank robber who becomes smitten with a bank teller whom he intersects with on a heist.

Warner Bros. has slated "The Town" for a Sept. 17 Stateside release.

In a year that will seemingly see lots of high-profile U.S. titles on the Lido, including George Clooney starrer "The American," helmed by Anton Corbijn, and Sofia Coppola's "Somewhere" -- both from Focus Features, and both previously Lido-tipped -- Yank indie darling Reichardt also looks to have joined the Venice roster with her Oregon trail period pic "Meek's Cutoff," likely to unspool in competish.

Cult helmer Paul Morrissey ("Flesh," "Trash," "Heat"), best known for his association with Andy Warhol, is also expected to bow his long-gestating "News From Nowhere" in Venice.

Likely to bow from Blighty, in an out-of-competish berth, is U.K. helmer Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech," toplining Colin Firth as the stammering King George VI, from The Weinstein Company.

U.K. helmer Justin Chadwick's "The First Grader," the true tale of an 84-year-old Kenyan villager who fights for his right to go to school, also looks set for a Venice launch, along with

British visual artist/helmer Isaac Julien's China-set "Ten Thousand Waves," which includes Maggie Cheung in the cast.

Previously tipped for Lido berths are Julian Schnabel's "Miral," Monte Hellman's noir "Road to Nowhere," Dustin Hoffman starrer "Barney's Version," helmed by Richard J. Lewis and based on the eponymous best-seller, and Al Pacino's "Wilde Salome."

Tom Tykwer's Berlin-set love triangle pic "Three," the Teutonic helmer's first German project in a decade, is among the latest additions to the list of European entries believed to be Lido-bound, along with buzzed-about Gallic pic "Happy Few," which is helmer Antony Cordier's erotically charged followup to "Cold Showers," from Wild Bunch.

As already reported, the hot Gallic group is expected to also comprise Abdel Kechiche's "Black Venus" and Francois Ozon's "Potiche," starring Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Depardieu.

Spanish-language cinema will likely make its return on the Lido with Spanish actress/helmer Iciar Bollain's third feature "Even the Rain," a drama about Bolivian water wars.

The Italian titles tipped for Venice competish are Saverio Costanzo's "The Solitude of Prime Numbers," featuring Isabella Rossellini and Italo thesp Alba Rohrwacher, Mario Martone's costumer "Noi Credevamo" and Carlo Mazzacurati's comedy "La Passione," produced by Domenico Procacci's Fandango.

Alessandro Piva's noir "Henry," about a drug war in contempo Rome, Giada Colagrande's "A Woman," starring Willem Dafoe and Stefania Rocca, and Gianfranco Rosi's docu "El Sicario," in which a Mexican hitman recounts his jobs both for drug traffickers and governments, are likely to unspool in Lido sidebars.

Fox International Italo gangster epic "Vallanzasca," helmed by Michele Placido and starring Kim Rossi Stewart as real-life Renato Vallanzasca, a handsome lady's man from a middle-class background who became a top Milan mobster in the 1970s, is tipped for out-of-competish.

Likely additions to the Lido's previously reported copious Asian contingent this year are cult Japanese auteur Takashi Miike's hotly anticipated samurai swashbuckler "Thirteen Assassins," a remake of Eiichi Kudo's 1963 hit; Hong Kong helmer Tsui Hark's period mystery thriller "Detective Dee"; and Andrew Lau's martial arts actioner "Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zen," a sequel of sorts to 1972 Bruce Lee starrer "Fist of Fury."

The Lido also looks set to host the bow of what is being touted as the first Hong Kong 3D horror pic, "The Child's Eye," from directorial duo the Pang brothers.

As previously announced John Woo's martial arts actioner "Reign of Assassins" and Johnny To's thriller "Shares" are also believed to be among pics with booked Lido berths.

Fest runs Sept. 1-11.

http://www.variety.com/ar...ml?categoryid=19&cs=1

[vulcannonibird]

I hope for some beautiful premiere pics of Winona and Natalie together....

May it be Venice, Hollywood or New York for the premiere - I for one don't care. And I hope Noni's role is bigger than in the original script.

[oinone]

Yay! I think it will be her second attendance after Age of Innocence, right?

[vulcannonibird]

@oinone

I'm not ready to use the phrase that Winona "WILL" be there - but she attended Marie Claire Awards and Giffoni in the last years so I think there's a 60% chance Winona might be attending the premiere.

[Lunis]

It's sure "The Black Swan" will open the Venice Film Festival.

Festival di Venezia: si parte con "Black Swan", Portman nel cast



http://it.reuters.com/art...ews/idITMIE66L0BA20100722







http://www.badtaste.it/in...mp;id=14487&Itemid=68

[CHRIS B]

Talked to a person who saw a screening of this film and so I asked about Winona's role.

He said:

she was solid, although she's on screen for no more than 10 minutes. in fact, the entire cast was terrific...