~~ TIFF 2023: Film #8 ~~
Much like the art form at its centre, Swan Song is a graceful, polished showcase of one of Canada's national treasures. The way in which it pulls back the velvet curtain, delving into the psychological toll of dance—and the National Ballet's pursuit against decades of racial prejudice—is both eye-opening and beyond admirable. McMullan has delivered another beautifully complex piece of art, one unafraid to jeté between brutal honesty and sheer elegance. It's beautiful, it's poignant, and, much like the eponymous ballet, it's unequivocally one of this year's masterpieces.
