Independent Spirit Award Winners 2011 "BLACK SWAN" Tops!

I am a FILM INDEPENDENT member and I pride myself on being able to vote on some of the best independent films of the year.  This year is no exception.  

the Independent Spirit Award Winners Are:

Best Feature: Black Swan

Black Swan wins big

Best Director: Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan
Best Screenplay: Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko, The Kids Are All Right
Best Male Lead: James Franco, 127 Hours
Best Supporting Male: John Hawkes, Winter’s Bone
Best Female Lead: Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Supporting Female: Dale Dickey, Winter’s Bone
Best Cinematography: Matthew Libatique, Black Swan
Robert Altman Award: Please Give (given to director Nicole Holofcener, casting director Jeanne McCarthy and the ensemble cast)
Best First Screenplay: Lena Dunham, Tiny Furniture
Best First Feature: Get Low (award given to the director, Aaron Schneider, and producers David Gundlach and Dean Zanuck)
Best Documentary: Exit Through The Gift Shop (the award goes to the director, but reclusive street artist Banksy reportedly sent “Mr. Brainwash” to accept the honor in his stead)
Best Foreign Film: The King’s Speech (award given to the director, Tom Hooper)
John Cassavetes Award (best feature made for under $500,000): Daddy Longlegs (written and directed by Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie and produced by Casey Neistat and Tom Scott)
Piaget Producers Award: Anish Savjani, Meek’s Cutoff

Winter's Bone supporting winners Dale Dicky and John Hawkes

Someone To Watch Award: Mike Ott, Littlerock
Truer Than Fiction Award: Jeff Maimberg, Marwencol

"Black Swan" Review

Here is the 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.

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This film absolutely kept me in a trace the entire time.   Director Darren Aronofsky has told yet another tale of the price we pay for what we love.   He's done it before with "The Wrestler" and even within "Requiem for a Dream" the price of ones desire to have what one wants is put to the limit.  "Black Swan" showcases Natalie Protman's true talents.  She has exercised her abilities many times before, but here we are able to follow her transformation closely.  

There is absolute perfect casting having Mila Kunis opposite the prima ballerina Portman.  They are such stark contrasts yet they physically resemble each other in such a way you get lost in who is who at times.  Absolutely brilliant. 

Guaranteed to be nominated time and time again over the course of the Awards season, Expect Portman and possibly Aronofsky to walk away with a few trophies in hand. 

Beautifully Acted.  Absolutely insane storyline.  Amazing moments of direction. 

See this film if you want to witness true cinema storytelling.