‘Swan Song’ (2024) Review – A Powerful Look At What It Takes To Make Art

Karen Kain, the director of the National Ballet of Canada, and an icon in her own right in the world of ballet, is retiring. She has set the stage to deliver her final show, a new production of Swan Lake in 2020. But then, a little pandemic happened. The production was shut down and delayed indefinitely, costing the NBC nearly $13 million in profits, but it would also delay Kain’s retirement as she wanted to go out on top with an absolutely memorable final show. Two years later, the doors to the ballet reopened, and the fierce, unforgivable, and (we now know) punk rock training began for Karen Kain’s final production of Swan Lake.

For those who may not be familiar with Swan Lake, it is the ballet that drove Natalie Portman to her limit in her Oscar-winning performance in 2010’s Black Swan. But while that film focuses on the duality of the main character, this documentary looks at everyone involved in the production from the director to the choreographer to the costume designer to the corps dancers of the show who put in an immense amount of skill, perseverance, determination, and anguish to deliver an absolute spectacle. 

So much had changed during the pandemic, including a long overdue discussion about race and inclusion. Ballet has been one of the last bastions of exclusionary art forms, and you can tell there are still some challenges left to face in the world of ballet when it comes to unconscious bias, in terms of who gets which roles and what is interpreted as beauty in ballet and what is not. Sadly, the film doesn’t dive too deeply into these subjects as it still looks to be an uncomfortable conversation among its creators. But the ball has started rolling in what looks to be a more inclusive and promising future.

However, the heart of the film is in the work. The immense amount of stress the entire company is under to deliver not only a great show but a decidedly standout one for a show that has been performed countless times, even by some of the members of the cast. One in particular is another ballet icon Jurgita Dronina, principal dancer for the NBC. The Russian-Lithuanian performer has been a dancer for the English National Ballet, The Royal Swedish Ballet, and the Dutch National Ballet. She is also battling an injury and temporary muscle stiffness that can leave her immobile for hours. The film teeters back and forth on whether Jurgita will even be able to do the show. 

Another cast member who ends up being a standout is Shaelynn Estrada, a Hispanic Texas and Florida native, who dances in the corps, and describes herself as a “Socialist, Marxist, Libertarian Slut.” She also might be the most fascinating member of the show. Estrada really gives us some of the more vulnerable moments in the film as she details challenging moments in her mental health as well as the conflicting relationship she has with ballet, which seems to clash with every aspect of her look and identity. Yet, she pushes through to captivate us all in a stirring performance.

And it all pays off as we get the best seat in the house during the final performance. Shot in exquisite lighting to capture every graceful movement. Kain makes some distinct changes to her Swan Lake that come out clear and unique in the tapestry of the story. Jurgita makes it to the stage and the final performance soars with majesty and elegance. It is the ultimate payoff to the hours and hours of strenuous work everyone has put in. You can see it dripping off the faces of the dancers and the tears in the eyes of everyone who put it together. Karen Kain’s final show is a rousing success.

Swan Song is a mesmerizing display of the artistry and sacrifice that goes into creating a ballet, and if you’ve never followed or understood it, you’ll come away from this with a much grander appreciation for the art form than ever before. 

Swan Song will debut in select theaters and on VOD on July 26, 2024, courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment.