Introduction:

Discomfort is unnerving. Discomfort is powerful. Discomfort is vital in awakening the audience to reality. In his 2010 film, Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky creates a – discomfort in his audience and by doing so, reveals the underlying truths of our society. Black Swan illustrates the impossible expectations of perfection, and the repercussions that arise because of them. The audience’s reaction to Aronofski’s use of clothing, soundscape and mise en scene forces us to reflect on the influence society has on our identities.

• BP 1: clothing (black and white/pink/childish, transition between two)
• Aronofski’s use of costume evokes discomfort in the audience by highlighting the stark difference between the black and the white swan and Nina’s embodiment of the two.

• BP 2: soundscape
• The use of sound in Black Swan is integral in the discomfort felt by the audience. Aronofski uses sound to draw the audience in to the scenes and into Nina’s delusions. The sound is crisp, overwhelming and heavy, it hooks the audience into the inner confusion of Nina’s mind, her internal battle. The sound acts as a warning subconsciously awakening the audience to the discomfort to come.
• – wings, nails, breathing, heavy

• BP 3: Mise en Scene (mirrors, room, light and dark, emptiness)

Sound is used to distort reality and build a sense of discomfort within the audience. Aronofsky . The destructive nature perfection becomes distinct. Fluctuations in sound increase tension throughout the black swan. This is portrayed when Nina is in the dance studio and experiences a power outage. An event such as this could have been seen as normal as the lights are turning out at the end of the day. However, the build-up in tension caused by the abrupt change to deep and heavy music queues a response of foreboding within the audience.