B and I plan to see this movie tonight. I've been dying to see it for weeks! I know it's going to be creepy, and I typically avoid creepy films. But I'll see any movie about ballet, and Swan Lake is actually my favorite ballet. I really hope I have an opportunity to see it with B sometime. He enjoyed The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet very much. I'm sure he'll love San Lake as much as I do.The lead role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake is very special. In my opinion, dancing that role would be a career high. It's one of the most difficult roles. I wonder if the movie touches on this?
The "black swan" is Odile (played by the same dancer as Odette, the "white swan"), and she has the most amazing solo in the Second Act. She does 32 fouette turns, which is a famous (I think one of the most famous) coda in this ballet, and quite a feat!
From Wiki's Glossary of Ballet, the definition of "coda":
Coda
Literally "tail". As in music, a Coda is a passage which brings a movement or a separate piece to a conclusion.
In ballet, the coda is usually the "Finale", a set of dances known as the Grand Pas or Grand Pas d'action and brings almost all the dancers onto the stage. A particularly large or complex coda may be called a coda Grande. If a large group of dancers are concerned, the terms générale Coda or Grand générale coda may be used.
In ballet there are many famous codas, such as Le Corsaire Pas de Deux. Swan Lake has the Black Swan Pas de Deux where the dancer performs the famous 32 fouettes en tournant.
Check this out:
Another famous part of Swan Lake is the Pas de Quatre (dance of four). Below is a clip from ABT's Swam Lake:
For those of you who are non-dancers, or not fans of ballet, I hope you found this post and these clips interesting. If you've never seen Swan Lake and have the opportunity to ever do so, I highly recommend it! I hope I can say the same about Black Swan!
7 comments:
I saw it last weekend--and I thought it was a really good movie. Very dark and distrubing at parts--but well acted and kept me on the edge of my seat. I think Natalie Portman should get an Oscar for her performance.
Have a good weekend chica!
Let us know if you like it or not! I am sure you will, looks like a good movie! Have a great weekend! It's FREEZING here in chi-town, only going to get colder! Good weekend to stay in and clean, LOL! :) PLD
I saw it. It's creepy. It also definitely mentions the importance of doing both roles.
Wow those videos are amazing. Those dancers must have the strongest legs. The foot work is beautiful and so quick! Seems like it would be so difficult to pick up on, takes lots and lots of practice!
Let us know what you think. I've heard it's very disturbing. There's a lot of "buzz" about Natalie Portman and an oscar. She must be fantastic!
I can't wait to hear about it! I want to see this movie so bad!
Missed you!!
I feel quite conflicted about seeing this movie.. I am excited to hear if you liked it!
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