BLACK SWAN A psychological thriller 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 <strong>Swan</strong> Queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect. 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, “<strong>Swan</strong> Lake,” Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. <strong>Swan</strong> Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White <strong>Swan</strong> with innocence and grace, and the <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Swan</strong>, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White <strong>Swan</strong> role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the <strong>Black</strong> <strong>Swan</strong>. 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. Presented by Fox Searchlight Pictures, in association with Cross Creek Pictures, a Prøtøzøa and Phoenix Pictures Production, BLACK SWAN is directed by Darren Aronofsky from a screenplay by Mark Heyman and Andrés Heinz and John McLaughlin, story by Andrés Heinz. The film is produced by Mike Medavoy, Arnold W. Messer, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin and executive produced by Bradley J. Fischer, Ari Handel, Tyler Thompson, Peter Fruchtman, Rick Schwartz, Jon Avnet, David Thwaites and Jennifer Roth. The creative team includes director of photography Matthew Libatique, ASC (IRON MAN 2), production designer Thérèse DePrez (HOWL), film editor Andrew Weisblum, A.C.E. (FANTASTIC MR. FOX), music by Clint Mansell (THE FOUNTAIN), music supervisors Jim <strong>Black</strong> (THE 1
WACKNESS) and Gabe Hilfer (THE WRESTLER), ballet choreography by Benjamin Millepied and visual effects supervisor Dan Schrecker. 2