Black Swan is a psychological thriller about Nina, a ballerina in a New York dance company. Nina is chosen to play the lead role of the Swan Queen but struggles with the dark sexuality required for the Black Swan role. Nina begins having hallucinations and losing her grip on reality as the pressures of the role intensify. The film explores Nina's psychological breakdown through her developing anorexia, bulimia, and schizophrenia. It also examines the themes of competition, sexuality, and control through Nina's rivalry with fellow dancer Lily and overbearing relationship with her mother.

1. Black SwanBy: Melvin Fortin, Sadi Khajavi, Vicky Labrecque and Jessica Ramos

2. Introduction Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Main character Nina (Natalie Portman) plays as the leading ballet dancer. Co-star Lily (Mila Kunis) plays Ninas competitor.Released in Canada on September 13 2010 at the Toronto National Film festival. Had won several awards and created enormous amounts of discussion.

3. Introduction Black Swan reflects issues that many face in their everyday lives:A controlling mother experiencing jealousyCompetitionfear and much more Topics we will touch up on:the psychological factors of the ballet dancer the dark theme

4. Summary Nina Sayers is a professional ballet dancer who dances for a prestigious dance company in New York. Her mother, Erica, used to be a ballet dancer as well. She constantly pressures Nina when it comes to ballet.The dance company Nina works for plans to do a “raw, visceral” production of Swan Lake, to be directed by the “brilliant” Thomas Leroy. Nina, along with a handful of other dancers, are chosen by Thomas to compete for the title role of Swan Queen. Nina seems to be the fore-runner to be the Swan Queen, although serious doubts whether she will be able to handle the role of the Black Swan.Ultimately given the role of Swan Queen. While Lily, another dancer vying for the title role, goes on to be Nina’s understudy. At the same time, Lily was given the role of Black Swan, for fear of Nina not being able to handle the role.Nina’s hallucinations and schizophrenic episodes begin to worsen, heightening her anxiety. This coupled with her bulimia, self-harming tendencies, and pressure from her mother all coalesce into her eventually losing her sanity and grip on reality.

5. Transition from White Swan to Black SwanNina was portrayed as innocent and fragile being perfect for the role of the white swan. Later she portrays the characteristic of the black swan by being sensual and mischievous.During this development she started to: drink alcohol and experiment with drugsconducted in sexual activities she had never done before rebel against her overbearing mother.

6. Films ContentSome scenes that were demonstrated had caused:disbelief and confusion amongst some of the viewers and;discussion amongst groups about:the sexual and dark content involved the scenes that caused some audiences questioning whether it was a figment of Nina’s imagination.

7. Scene OneNina had a dispute with Lily in her change room.Became violent causing Nina to stab Lily. Later shown that Nina had stabbed her self not Lily. This lead to the death scene at the end of the play and the film. Death symbolises their freedom from the curse that had haunted them, finally allowing them to be perfect.

8. Scene TwoNina had gone out to a party with Lily leading her to drink and consume a form of drug. Lily had initiated sexual advances towards NinaNext morning Nina was convinced the actions from the previous night had occurred Lily had denied it all making the audience wonder who was telling the truth.

9. Psychological FactorsNina experiences many personal conflicts.The audience could easily recognize the current issues in today's world demonstrated in the film.Two of these conflicts are:anorexia schizophrenia

10. Eating DisorderAnorexia: Affects preteens, teens and mostly young women.Nina demonstrates an eating disorder problem, shown as a skinny girl who barely eats and makes herself throw up.

11. Schizophrenia Over 280,000 people are affected in Canada by Schizophrenia Nina demonstrates this through her double personality of the “Black Swan”, the one that she is struggling to be in her ballet play.

12. ConclusionThis film is considered 'popular literature' because it deals with themes that almost all people have experienced The main plot of the film deals with a seemingly 'perfect' protagonist and her gradual slip into madness, and fall from grace Two of the main afflicting disorders that the protagonist suffers from are anorexia/bulimia, and 'schizophreniaThese topic, as addressed through the personal suffering of the protagonist, bring things into perspective for the viewer as they are made aware of these modern issues Sexuality plays an integral part of the film, and in how the main characters interact and behave toward each other. Keeping up with the ‘pure’ image of the White Swan, Nina’s modesty and demureness when dealing with issues of her sexuality tie into her intimate resemblance of the role.Nina deviates from her naïve nature eventually when she becomes exposed to Lily’s lifestyle. She becomes ‘tainted’.

13. Black Swan Trialerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jaI1XOB-bsAnorexia:http://www.articlesbase.com/answers/how-many-people-have-eating-disorders-in-canada-40237Schizophrenia:http://www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm