Swan Song main backdrop
Swan Song main poster

Swan Song

Visit website

9.2/10 • 2

2023-09-221h 43m

Documentary

An immersive, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a new production of Swan Lake. Ballet icon Karen Kain, on the eve of her retirement, directs the National Ballet of Canada. The film weaves together intimate scenes of the creative process and the dancers’ personal lives. Executive Produced by Neve Campbell.

Directors
Chelsea McMullan
Writters
Chelsea McMullan, Sean O'Neill
Editors
Brendan Mills

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Jurgita Dronina

    Jurgita Dronina

    Self

  2. Shaelynn Estrada

    Shaelynn Estrada

    Self

  3. Karen Kain

    Karen Kain

    Self

  4. Siphesihle November

    Siphesihle November

    Self

Reviews1

View Reviews
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots Avatar

Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

Aug 8, 2024

10/10

Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to be a ballerina. There was something about the elegant way the dancers moved and swayed that had me mesmerized at a young age, and it is a love that has followed me well into adulthood. Director Chelsea McMullan‘s documentary “Swan Song” captures not only the intoxicating, dreamlike beauty of ballet, but also offers a deeply immersive look into a complex world of choreography, dance, athleticism, and determination. Focusing on the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 production of Swan Lake (one of the most technically challenging and physically demanding ballets to stage), the film takes viewers behind the scenes alongside first-time ballet director (and legendary dancer) Karen Kain, her choreographer, as well as several women in the corps de ballet. No matter if you are a lover of the arts or not, this film will give you a new perspective of and a deeper appreciation for the multitude of components that go into making a beautiful production. Through intimate access to several of the dancers, McMullan captures the sheer mental and physical exhaustion of the performers. There is an immense dedication and precision required of them, and she showcases their personal stories. While the subjects have diverse personalities and come from a wide range of backgrounds, they all share a passion for dance. These interviews offer a fascinating insight into the sacrifices they’ve made, the toll it takes on their bodies, and the overwhelming intensity of the pressure that is thrust upon them. McMullan’s camera follows these dancers through grueling rehearsals, but also documents the hard work it takes from others behind the scenes to bring a ballet to life. Kain is meticulous in her directorial details, obsessing over things like if her corps should or should not buck a longstanding tradition of wearing pink tights. That may seem like a simple choice, but the film explains why it’s a huge deal to have these women dance with bare legs (and it’s not for the reason you think). This leads to one of the most compelling parts of the documentary: a brief exploration of social and racial issues prevalent in the ballet world. The film tackles a lot in a short amount of time, but nothing feels too rushed or too slow. As the documentary progressed, I became more and more invested in its subjects. By the time opening night arrived, I found myself holding my breath with anticipation. Beautifully shot and filmed in a cinema verité style, “Swan Song” is a gripping look at all facets of the creative process. It is among the best documentaries I’ve seen so far this year, providing a testament to the artistry and dedication that defines ballet. I thoroughly enjoyed my front row seat to a film that so perfectly captures the romance, the agony, the profound beauty, and the complexity of dance. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

Media

  • Swan Song poster
  • Swan Song poster

Recommendations

  • The Fabulous Four main backdrop

    The Fabulous Four

    5.4

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring main backdrop

    The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

    8.4

  • Iron Man main backdrop

    Iron Man

    7.7

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales main backdrop

    Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

    6.7

  • Ant-Man main backdrop

    Ant-Man

    7.1

  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children main backdrop

    Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

    6.8

  • Shutter Island main backdrop

    Shutter Island

    8.2

  • Toy Story 2 main backdrop

    Toy Story 2

    7.6

  • Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom main backdrop

    Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

    6.5

  • Jurassic World main backdrop

    Jurassic World

    6.7

  • Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle main backdrop

    Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

    6.8

  • Alice Through the Looking Glass main backdrop

    Alice Through the Looking Glass

    6.6

  • The Age of Adaline main backdrop

    The Age of Adaline

    7.5

  • Fast Five main backdrop

    Fast Five

    7.2

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King main backdrop

    The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

    8.5

  • 3 Idiots main backdrop

    3 Idiots

    8.0

  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 main backdrop

    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

    7.7

  • Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice main backdrop

    Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

    6.0

  • Hellboy main backdrop

    Hellboy

    6.7

  • Unbreakable main backdrop

    Unbreakable

    7.1

Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
No keywords have been added.