Film will open the Venice Film Festival 2010

Jul 23, 2010 14:02 GMT  ·  By

In December 2009, while promoting the post-apocalypse flick “Book of Eli,” actress Mila Kunis also spoke about a film that, she said, was bound to generate much attention prior to release. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan” also stars Natalie Portman as a veteran ballerina – and fans can now have a first look at her in her dancing shoes, literally.

The film will include plenty of dance sequences, which is just perfect for Natalie since she’s been taking ballet classes since she was 13 years old. Despite rumors that it will also include a kiss between the two female protagonists, it will focus on the relationship they develop and how they come to forge a friendship of sorts out of a clear feeling of rivalry. Judging by the first photos release, Natalie Portman will be stunning as usual.

One picture, for instance, shows a side shot of her, all dressed up as a black swan for the Swan Lake. The makeup in particular is noteworthy, complete with contact red lenses and plenty of black glitter, coming in sharp contrast with the white powder she has applied all over her face. “Black Swan” will open this year’s Venice Film Festival, which takes place in September but, by the looks of it, it seems fans have a winner on their hands, word on the blogosphere says.

Speaking with USA Today about her part, Natalie recently said that she had plenty of time to get into her shoes: nearly 9 years, to be more precise. “The character was very interesting to play, always challenging and surprising. The fact that I had spent so much time with the idea – [director Darren Aronofsky] and I started discussing doing the film in 2000 – allowed it to marinate a little before we shot. I took ballet until I was 13. I had always hoped to do a dance film. It is the most emotional form of expression,” she says.

Co-star Mila also recently spoke about rumors that her character gets to kiss Natalie’s character in the film. Though she would not flat-out deny them, Mila did say that those expecting to see girls “making out and pillow fighting” may very well go see another film, because “Black Swan” was “not smut.”

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