Yesterday we reported that Sarah Lane, Natalie Portman‘s dancing double for Black Swan, is claiming Portman only did 5% of the film’s full body shots. Now the filmmakers have issued a response.
Explains a joint statement released by Fox Searchlight:
“We 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.”
Well, that’s a bit vague, no? For context, Lane’s stern words were a response to Portman’s fiance (and Black Swan‘s choreographer) Benjamin Millepied asserting Portman did 85% of the dancing. While it’s hard to quantify just exactly what percentage of the dancing each woman is responsible for, this is all getting sort of confusing. Millepied says Portman did 85%, Lane says she did 5%, the filmmakers say she did “most” of it, and the actress herself has yet to issue a statement. (However, in interviews from the fall she discussed using a body double.)
We just don’t know what to think. Is this a big cover-up? Is Lane getting played? Or is she trying to cash in on Black Swan‘s popularity? Does it even matter? Body doubles are commonplace, and Portman won an Oscar. Sure, dancing had something to do with her award-winning performance, but it was her acting that made her stand out.
What do you think? Does justice need to be served, or does this story need to disappear?
[EW]