31 days of Horror: Day nine: Étoile (Ballet)

Étoile (Ballet) (1989)
Directed by Peter Del Monte

This is a film I just heard about recently. It was described, as slow paced and subtle, but also compared to Suspiria (1977). Starring  Jennifer Connelly who also starred in Dario Argento's Phenomena (1985) a few years earlier, the film had enough points of interest to make me curious.

Connelly plays Claire Hamilton, an American dancer who's come to Europe to try out for a prestigious dance academy. She meets fellow American Jason Forrest at her hotel, he's accompanying his uncle on an antique clock buying mission, but would rather spend is time chasing after Claire. At the audition, Claire gets cold feet, and sneaks away, but is spotted by the reclusive choreographer who runs the school. He mistakes her for somebody he knew a hundred years ago, and soon Claire's personality begins to degrade. She doesn't recognize Jason when he sees her at the park, and introduces her self as Natalie Horvath. Meanwhile the choreographer has closed the school, but is mounting a production of Swan Lake with Claire/Natalie as the star.

There are a number of similarities between Étoile, and Darren Aronofky's Black Swan (2010). Both feature the Ballet Swan Lake, as a back drop, focusing on a protagonist dancing the lead, and losing their sense of self in the role. But where as Black Swan, is a Psychological Thriller, Étoile tells a much more mythic, and mystical story. The seemingly immortal choreographer has sinister plans involving the ballet as a ritual, and young Jason has to figure out what's going on in time to stop him. The whole thing builds to an intense climax, where the film's nature as a Horror Film is made clear.

The reviews I read going in to this were mixed. Many commentators complained of the slow pace, and lack of action, but I found the pacing fine, and although this is no gore fest, I thought the atmosphere of mounting dread was quite effective. By the time the rousing finale arrives I was on the edge of my seat. A finale that not only features a beautifully shot dance sequence, but even a monster of sorts. 

If you 're a fan of dance, or enjoy a good dark fantasy, this highly underrated film is one to track down.