Chelsea McMullan’s documentary Swan Song takes us inside the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 production of Swan Lake, choreographed for the first time by the company’s artistic director Karen Kain.

Set to world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, the documentary exec produced by Neve Campbell, shared the first look trailer.

Swan Song immerses viewers inside one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a legacy – defining new production of Swan Lake , directed by ballet icon Karen Kain on the eve of her retirement. The verité – driven feature documentary closely follows Kain and a group of young dancers drawn from the National Ballet of Canada’s ranks, weaving Swan Lake’s dramatic creation process with intimate scenes from the subjects’ personal lives as they push toward one of the most significant opening nights in their company’s history

Kain and her company granted full access, and the filmmakers followed the film’s Swan Song’s intimate, character – driven approach invites viewers to consider the impacts of the culture of ballet on its artists — the film’s subjects, in various ways, challenge ideals of race, class and body type as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued compliance and perfection. At the same time, the film captures the sincere l ove of the form that drives Kain and the dancers as they face down challenges and make deep personal sacrifices in an effort to create something meaningful and lastingubjects for nearly two years through creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal setbacks, and a pointed push for equity and change from within its ranks.

Watch the first trailer for Swan Song.

TIFF Festival Screenings:

Saturday, September 9, 2:00pm, Roy Thomson Hall (Public Screening #1)**WORLD PREMIERE
Monday, September 11, 8:30pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox Cinema 3 (Public Screening #2)
Thursday, September 14, 9:00am, Scotiabank 1 (Press & Industry Screening #2)
Friday, September 15, 1:00pm, Scotiabank 1 (Public Screening #3)