Motifs in Black Swan

Wow, I am struck by the film Black Swan and its unnerving quality. I’m contemplating Natalie Portman’s character, Nina, as holding the light and dark aspects of the Princess archetype, a motif or primordial pattern of nature and psyche.The more she pushes to split off her darkness, the more the passion/energy it illicit to take over, as if by possession in reaction to the polarizing pull of expectations.

I appreciated the layer of building this story over the already tragic story of Swan Lake, based on a Russian folktale about Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer. This male presence could be considered the negative animus possession, the inner masculine side of woman that is compulsively driving her to consider the truth of her logic, and if positively mediated brings about consciousness.

I was able to attend a presentation by the film director Darren Aronofsky. It appeared to be quite a feat to get this film produced and I couldn’t help but consider how poignant it is for this material to be coming into collective consciousness.

I consider the 1948 film “Red Shoes” about a ballet dancer torn between love and her career, as a predecessor. Then and even still, it seems, the lead feminine must die to not compromise the ideals placed upon it. A heavy burden to carry.

Certainly rich imagery, themes, and topics for exploration.