Nina is a ballerina who’s life revolves around ballet. Nina is Thomas, the directors first choice to play the swan in Swan Lake, although finds herself slipping into madness when Lily may be better suited for the role. Nina begins to experience psychotic episodes which she finds difficult to distinguish from reality.
Cinematography of dynamic camera, mirror shots, black and white contrasts and hidden imagery were used to visualise what is going on inside of Nina’s head.
The film is titled The Black Swan as it represents the negative other. This relates to Nina’s darker side which unravels throughout the film. Aronofsky explores the pressures that ballerinas experience in the extremely demanding industry. Another issue is the immense pressure Nina is put under and the detrimental effect on her mental health as a result.
Hamartia
- Obsession w perfection
- people pleaser
- Greed
- Passive
- Insecure
- Identify
- Self absorbed
Anagnorisis
- The audience experiences anagnorisis
- Our realisation of what is real and what isn’t
- we come to realise why the mental breakdown has happened
- Nina has destroyed herself bc of world she lives in- expectations
- Nina pulls piece of glass out of herself- everything from that point is very real- self awakening moment
- questioning real and unreal
- Over reaching
- Lack of love/acceptance
- hubris(pride)
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