Natalie Portman tipped for an Oscar

Natalie Portman's performance in her latest film Black Swan, has critics calling for the actress to receive an Oscar nod.

The movie is a psychological thriller about a ballerina, Nina (Portman), who faces competition from a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis). The two women's rivalry develops into a twisted friendship and Nina finds her dark side.

Portman said training for the film was pretty gruelling: "It was five to eight hours a day of ballet, and swimming and toning and choreography from a year ahead of time."

The 29-year-old actress sustained an injury whilst making the movie: "I dislocated a rib but that just needed some rest to go away" she said.

Co-star Kunis said making the movie had put her off ballet, the actress said: "I would never do it, and I would hope my daughter doesn't do it. It's the most competitive and most judgmental sport I've ever seen in my life."

Black Swan is due to be released in UK Cinemas from January 2011.