Avalon

The Black Swan

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The comments I have been gathering from people around me about the movie "The Black Swan" have been largely favourable and complimenting, but mostly accompanied by remarks that the movie left a mildly traumatic experience or knots in their stomachs. One even presented me with the notion whether the movie actually contained demonic undertones, citing certain disturbing scenes that probably generated those thoughts.

If everyone is prepossessed with both a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, rationality and restraint keep us functioning as the former, but the challenge comes when it is not so much about what we have (dispositions), than what we think we are (being) or how we act. (doing) When these mutually facilitating selves come into conflict and become competing selves, the resulting anxiety takes a huge toll on ones psychological composition, and depending on the perspective one takes, it may become a transformation stage or the inception of a mental breakdown.

It might be momentarily invigorating to be freed of the lashes in the form of moral codes, social contracts, worldly conventions, that bound us to obligations and duties, but the irony sets in when one realises that one is not entirely free when you become aware of the things you have breeched. Sometimes what's infinitely scary is not about letting go, but allowing that mysterious and imperceptible side, unconscious and unbeknownst to oneself, to take hold and assume control, and it gets even more terrifying when you realise in hindsight how much you got carried away by such overwhelming feelings of liberation.

The movie talked about the transformation of a young actress in a way that is analogous to her role she undertook, from an innocent, controlled white swan to the sensual, unrestrained black swan. In the end, she achieved a state of transformation that earned her a perfect stage experience, at the melodramatic expense of an ultimate sacrifice a performer can offer. Transformation does not equate to transcendence. I feel the latter is more about the fact that if one is capable of going beyond a certain stage of excellence, then it is important that one is equally capable of relating back. Otherwise, one will just become something else. In the movie, Natalie Portman was eventually consumed by the side of her that her role called for, letting herself burn in the midst. Her struggle was painful, though she did achieve her eventual gratification, short of passing a state of no return.

I, however, believe the deepest feelings show itself in silence; not in silence, but restraint.

Envoy of the Stars @ 2:16 AM
-------------------------------