‘Black Swan’ controversy: ‘Natalie herself did most of the dancing,’ insist filmmakers
A claim by Natalie Portmanís ballet double from the movie Black Swan alleging that the Oscar-winning actress did not perform the majority of that filmís dance sequences has quickly been challenged. Sarah Lane, the American Ballet Theatre soloist who doubled for Portman during some of that filmís most difficult dance sequences, told Entertainment Weekly that the Oscar-winning actress did only 5 percent ìof the full body shotsî in the film. But the filmmakers insist that simply isnít the case, saying in a joint statement released by Fox Searchlight, ìWe were fortunate to have Sarah there to cover the more complicated dance sequences and we have nothing but praise for the hard work she did. However, Natalie herself did most of the dancing featured in the final film.î
Lane decided to speak out after a recent story in the Los Angeles Times quoted Portmanís fiancÈ and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millipied saying ì85 percent of that movie is Natalie.î ìThey wanted to create this idea in peopleís minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar,î Lane told EW. ìIt is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. Iíve been doing this for 22 yearsÖ. Can you become a concert pianist in a year and a half, even if youíre a movie star?î
In interviews, Portman didnít hide the fact that she had used a body double for key sequences in the film. ìI do have a double for the complicated turning stuff,î Portman told EW last November. ìIt was not anything I ever could have done in a year, nothing I couldíve caught up with. But I think it was just better for all of us if I did as much as possible.î
Portman has yet to respond to Laneís remarks.
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