For their roles in Darren Aronofsky’s new film, Black Swan, both Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis reduced their body weights by about 20 pounds each, even though both actresses were very petite to begin with. In the movie, Ms. Portman’s character, prima ballerina and Swan Queen Nina Sayers, shows signs and symptoms of both anorexia and bulimia. Sadly, the movie has already inspired a “Black Swan Diet” and "Black Swan Workout" and appears to be providing role models for unhealthy behaviors. The movie has been labeled “eating disorder porn” by .As reported by Kate Torgovnick of , a number of web sites have begun to use Black Swan to promote anorexic behavior. These include:
Ms. Kunis (pictured right), who played the title character Lily, The Black Swan, said she was “grossed out” by her body in the movie, referring to her appearance as “.” She said it took her 5 months to drop down to 95 pounds, but only five days to gain it all back.
Ms. Portman’s post-Swan diet, aimed at recovering her pre-Swan weight, was carbs, carbs, carbs ” just pasta and bread and pizza all the time.”
Recently Portia De Rossi, actress and wife of comedienne Ellen Degeneres, gave a very about her past history of and struggles with anorexia. Studies have shown that anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease in part because the condition is frequently associated with other forms of psychological illness and is frequently under-treated.
Black Swan is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) requiring viewers under the age of 17 be be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This rating is due to a lesbian sex scene and not its portrayal of anorexic ballerinas.