Black Swan Scene Analysis...
The scene that i am analysing within this drama, thriller and horror film, is the key moment having just performed her career defining performance as the black swan, Nina Sayers is isolated in her dressing room and realises that she has stabbed herself. In the confusion she continues to perform her finale
dance which then ends in the tragedy of her death.
Immediately we see a key element of mise en scene, the grey rough bricks create the setting. With no paint or plastering the bricks are raw and their grey colour imposes the scene, this combination creates and unwelcome sense. This is important , as although not a generic horror this film still carries the convention of dull cold colours to contrast any other colour of significance , such as blood, to create a even greater effect.
A colour contrast we see is between Ninas black attire and the others white attire. This obvious contrast of mise en scene costumes can reflect the clear divide between Ninas state of mind in comparison to a regular state of mind. Another element that contributes to this is the action of Portman walking down steps past other that are going up the stairs , this is a literal contrast , going the opposite way to anyone else implies that she is going some where isolated.
This action also follows another horror convention , as the movement of descending down suggests that the character is going somewhere negative, thus creating a sense of suspense. The use of a hand held camera with bumpy shots create a sense of rush and also a sense of unease as the slight knocks are not obvious but their presence can show that something is not quite right with Ninas focus.
Here we can see the crown of the Black Swan placed onto a mannequin in the left hand side of the shot, this could represent the thought that the darkness is ever-present in the Swans eyes, she is applying the white makeup representing innocence yet the crown is still there taking pride of place. The lighting from the mirror creates a white light : covered and dressed in all white provides a further contrast to the harsh colour of the black crown.
At the moment of realisation that she has stabbed herself , intense music is used with a medium close up shot to obtain all facial expressions and emotion. Then tilting downwards to reveal the bloody wound. The Mise en scene is the use of the white costume contrasting with the deep red blood, the use of this gives a greater effect of shock as the blood is more obvious. We see deep red blood seeping through a white costume who's fabric seems to apear as a bandage material. This may represent that having hidden and wrapped up her troubles the truth is finally seeping through. Also the use of bandages reflect a feeling of being unwell and broken.
During her final performance having been wounded there is a fantastic moment when Nina rises up the stairs as a final moment before collapsing. This is a pinnacle point where all feelings are concluded and we can realise that this is the end.Nina has risen up from previously having gone down to a dark place, this opposite effect shows rejoice ,returning to a place where the swan wants to be . Lighting also contributes to this moment as they increase brightness in accordance with Ninas rising up the stairs, being the brightest gold at the end. Nina has reached the end of a performance in dance and also life, lit in a circle of gold is she finally a winner?
