Movie Trailer: Darren Aronofsky's 'Black Swan'

Fox Searchlight has released the first teaser trailer for Darren Aronofsky's upcoming Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Vincent Cassel. Check it out after the break. If you were afraid that Aronofsky making a ballet movie was a step in the wrong direction, this should quickly change your mind.

We've heard a bit of positive early buzz on the film and seen a couple of photos, but this is the best look we've had so far.

Portman's opening narration sets up a foreboding atmosphere right off, which is given an assist by the score (sounds like new Clint Mansell work?) and Aronofsky's aesthetic. (Slightly raw, but pushed towards thriller territory with just the right nudge.) The tone of the film has been compared to some of Roman Polanski's classic thrillers, and you can very easily see shades of The Tenant and Rosemary's Baby here. That's a wonderful thing; I love this whole concoction.

Here's the official synopsis:

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.

See the trailer in HD at Apple. Black Swan will appear at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals, and opens in the US on December 1.