After it’s premiere at Venice, Black Swan has received a great deal of Academy Award Buzz. I haven’t seen the film yet — no one but filmmakers, critics, and festival-goers have — but I’m anxious to, and I think it won’t go unrecognized come February at the Kodak Theater.

In his article for indieWIRE, Todd McCarthy talks in detail about this intriguing, dark, psychological thriller about a ballerina and the inner turmoil and instability she faces as she drives herself toward perfection.

The major talking point in any conversation about this film is its lead actress: Natalie Portman. Portman — alongside Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right — is the lead contender for the Best Actress prize in this year’s Oscar race. Much like her character becomes entrenched in her performance in “Swan Lake,” Portman is, apparently, completely invested in her character and gives a riveting performance. I cannot wait to see it for myself.

I find it so interesting and incredible how the festival system can kill a film just as quickly as it can propel another into the spotlight. While Swan‘s director Darren Aronofsky saw success with indie hit The Wrestler, that film only hit the scene because of success in the film festival circuit. Without exposure at major markets like Venice and Toronto, Swan might have faded into obscurity. But it hasn’t. And it won’t.

The power of buzz — it truly is remarkable.