ARONOFSKY'S BLACK SWAN TO OPEN VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

The 67th Venice Film Festival will officially kick off tonight with the Opening ceremony and the screening of Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, which will make its world premiere at the Festival.

There has been, however, a special press screening of the film early this morning and, by and large, critics are praising Aronofsky's last effort.

Aronofsky won the Golden Lion in Venice for The Wrestler two years ago, and its films have proved to be good vehicles for its actors. Ellen Burstyn for the cult movie Requiem For A Dream and Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler were all nominated for an Oscar. According to the first reactions by critics, Natalie Portman has now a lock on an Oscar nomination for her lead role in Black Swan.

Here is the trailer, and pay attention to Barbara Hershey as the mother. Nobody is talking about her but she might steal the show. She already did with Nicole Kidman in Portrait of a Lady.