Inside Look at the National Ballet of Canada in ‘Swan Song’ Doc Trailer

Inside Look at the National Ballet of Canada in ‘Swan Song’ Doc Trailer

by Alex Billington
August 30, 2023
Source: YouTube

“You can’t go half-way with ‘Swan Lake.'” Who’s ready to dive head-first into the world of ballet? Dogwoof has revealed an official promo trailer for the documentary film Swan Song, premiering soon at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival. Not to be confused with Mahershala Ali’s sci-fi film Swan Song or Udo Kier’s indie comedy film Swan Song, both with the same name, this is a doc about the opera “Swan Lake”. The Canadian film offers a deep look of the incredible devotion, artistry and sacrifices that Karen Kain and the National Ballet of Canada dancers make in their pursuit of creating something unique, meaningful, beautiful. TIFF says it’s a powerfully intimate look at the process of putting on a performance of “Swan Lake”. The fest adds: “Even something as simple as Kain pushing for the dancers to abandon the pink tights of the swan costumes — thus acknowledging the diversity of skin colours onstage — turns out to have revolutionary implications.” This looks like a fascinating film about all the intricacies of putting on a show – reminds me of Birdman, too.

Here’s the festival promo trailer for Chelsea McMullan’s doc Swan Song, direct from Dogwoof’s YouTube:

“Chelsea McMullan’s intimate process documentary takes us inside the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 production of Swan Lake, choreographed for the first time by the company’s artistic director Karen Kain, who famously debuted in the ballet in 1971. Kain chose Swan Lake to be her retirement project after a fifty-year career, but Swan Song is less concerned with further canonizing her than with observing the way aging artists can welcome a new generation, should they choose to. The film darts in and out of its subjects’ lives, homes, and rehearsal spaces to capture the company as an organic entity — performers, choreographers, and technicians pushing through physical and emotional obstacles to remake a revered work in their own image. (Principal dancer Jurgita Dronina provides considerable insight into what that feels like.)” Swan Song is directed by Canadian filmmaker Chelsea McMullan, director of the doc films My Prairie Home, Michael Shannon Michael Shannon John, and Ever Deadly previously. Produced by Sean O’Neill. This is premiering at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival soon, opening in cinemas up in Canada later in September. No other international release dates are set – stay tuned for news. Who’s interested in watching?

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