Watch A Strange And Tense 'Black Swan' Music Video

I like the small trend of creating music videos that act as trailers. It's hardly a new idea, but we've recently seen one for Tron Legacy, and now there's one for Black Swan. Since the score for Darren Aronofsky's film is largely based on Tchaikovsky, the music here jumps off from the classical score to the film. It's a very strange clip, full of the tension and menace for which the movie is already drawing great praise, but also more techno-oriented than I would have expected.

Every piece of footage I see from this film reinforces the positive impression of the movie that has been relayed by many who've been lucky enough to see it already. This clip is rather weird, but I suspect that is exactly the point. I've heard a great many films referenced in discussions of Black Swan, from Suspiria and Repulsion to (obviously) The Red Shoes and a lot more. Some call it an out and out horror film. The editing here suggests Dario Argento to me, if a much more frenetic Argento than seen in his classic films such as Suspiria.

Regardless, I've very eager to see what Mr. Aronofsky has done with the story, and this is a good alternative way to whet the appetite.

Apple has the video in HD, and once again provides 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.