BLACK SWAN Closing Night Gala

A Fox Searchlight Pictures release by visionary director (and AFI Conservatory graduate) Darren Aronofsky, BLACK SWAN takes a thrilling and at times terrifying journey through the psyche of a young ballerina whose starring role as the Swan Queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect. BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company who lives with her 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 (Mila Kunis) 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