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Black Swan No, BBM hasn’t undergone a relaunch to target the ballet market. We’re simply excited for new film, Black Swan, a thriller / horror / drama hybrid that takes place in the world of New York Ballet and stars Natalie Portman.

Black Swan Generating Oscar buzz, the film will be a force to be reckoned with once it opens in cinemas on January 20. BBM caught up with Kristina Anapau, who stars in the film as Galina, on the eve of the film’s Australian premiere.

You hold a Bachelor of Science degree, you trained to be a ballerina since you were 5 – how did you end up as an actress?

When I was 16, living in Hawaii and immersed in classical ballet training and studies at the University of Hawaii, I auditioned by chance for a film that Universal was shooting in Hawaii called Escape from Atlantis.

I had never acted before, but ended up getting a lead role in the film.  I was cast as the princess of Atlantis.  Shortly after wrapping the project (two weeks to be exact), I moved to LA to continue pursuing a viable outlet for my new found interest, while continuing both my college studies and rigorous ballet training.

In 2005 you worked on Cursed, what was it like working with Wes Craven?

Working with Wes and the entire cast of Cursed was such a pleasure. Wes had a way of whispering the perfect direction right before a scene and creates a very calm environment on set. I learned so much from both Jesse Eisenberg and Christina Ricci… Such a great cast.

Dare I say your highest profile role will be in Black Swan – silly question but I’m sure the ballerina experience helped you out in that audition?

Yes, my ballet training was essential in getting the role of Galina in Black Swan. After reading for [director] Darren Aronofsky in Los Angeles, he sat me down beside him, showed me a clip of a dancer dancing a very difficult solo in Swan Lake, and asked if I could put that piece on tape for him.

I said ‘sure, no problem’ as if it was the easiest thing in the world. It was not. I had not danced en pointe for years, and ended up losing my big toenail in the process, but I got the part… and gave the toenail to Darren as a wrap present 3 months later.

Wes Craven and Darren Aronofsky are two of the more innovative directors working today, how do they compare – speaking from experience?

Both Wes and Darren have very clear visions of what they want from a scene and from an actor’s performance. The climate on Wes’s set is a bit more relaxed than on Darren’s, which is a pleasure, but the work ethic that Darre
n inspires is amazing. I look forward to working with them both again.

Tell us about your character, she competes with Natalie Portman’s character…

Galina is a soloist in the company, competing for the lead part in Swan Lake. She’s ambitious, a bit catty, and highly competitive.

It’s an intense film, but what can those who haven’t seen it expect?

Intensity is an understatement. I was on the edge of my seat in the premiere and I knew the script! 

It’s beautifully shot, aesthetically spectacular, and the acting performances are incredible.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Natalie wins the Oscar. She did an absolutely phenomenal job.  

Black Swan opens on January 20.