“Themes of how hard you work for art and is it all worth it we felt ourselves”: Chelsea McMullan and Sean O’Neil on Swan Song

Swan Song is the new documentary that takes a peek behind the curtain of the world of modern ballet. It follows the company of the National Ballet of Canada as they prepare for a performance of Swan Lake at the helm of ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. Through interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the film provides an intimate window into the lives of the dancers and Kain, and what it takes to stage a production of this scale, capturing both the determination, passion and successes as well as the challenges, raising broader questions about the sacrifices artistic excellence necessitates.

The Upcoming spoke with the film’s creators during London Film Festival, Chelsea McMullan and Sean O’Neil, who shared how they aimed to capture the drama and beauty of ballet through a cinematic lens, sparked by Kain’s directorial debut and the ballet company’s comeback post a challenging two-year hiatus. They highlighted the documentary’s exploration of themes such as artistic dedication, the physical and emotional toll on dancers, and broader issues of racism within the ballet world, while also sharing the formidable hurdles they faced, from gaining intimate access to the dancers to navigating the nuanced dynamics of the ballet community. Through the film they hope to ask audiences to consider what goes into creating art, to challenge preconceived notions about ballet and also celebrate the art form’s enduring universal appeal.

Sarah Bradbury

Swan Song is released in select cinemas on 16^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Swan Song here: