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As a way of celebrating this year’s nominees for the Spirit Awards in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, IFC.com reached out to as many as they could in an effort to better understand what went into their films, what they’ve gotten out of the experience, and where they’ve found their inspiration, both in regards to their work and other works of art that might’ve inspired them from the past year. Today you can read their Q&A with Natalie.

At a recent event in Los Angeles, Darren Aronofsky explained that his lead actress’ biggest accomplishment in “Black Swan” was acting and dancing at the same time, physically making the pirouettes seem effortless as she expressed emotions that would go against what she was doing with her body. Certainly, it was a tall order, but given everything else that Natalie Portman has done in the past few years, the idea of doing only two things at once seems almost quaint.

In the decade since Aronofsky first met with the actress over coffee in Times Square to discuss what would become “Black Swan,” Portman has become a writer/director (her short “Eve”), a producer (the upcoming “Hesher”) and even the co-creator of a Web site detailing the creative process (MakingOf.com), all the while expending her considerable empathy and nuance as a performer on films by the likes of Wes Anderson, Wong Kar-wai, and Jim Sheridan. It’s worth mentioning these things because contrary to the anxiety-ridden ballerina she plays in “Black Swan,” Portman’s understanding of every aspect of production is part of what makes her performance in the film so magnificent.

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Thanks to ComingSoon.net for the interview!

In No Strings Attached, Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher play a couple trying to be sex buddies without forming a real attachment. Portman’s Emma is a doctor with no time for a real relationship and some serious commitment issues. Kutcher’s Adam is the son of a famous actor (Kevin Klein) who is trying to make a name for himself on his own, writing for a “Glee”-style TV show. The film is directed by Ivan Reitman. We got a chance to be part of a press conference for the film and hear what Kutcher, Portman, Reitman and writer Elizabeth Meriwether had to say about friends with benefits, women and sexuality in film and a sex scene that is…rather unforgettable.

Q: Natalie, you had over a year of rigorous training for “Black Swan.” How did you make such a quick turnaround for this movie?
Natalie Portman: You’re like, how did you get fat so quickly? [laughs] It was pretty great. It was like a palate cleanser after all of that really disciplined, focused, serious kind of set to a really playful, fun… I mean, obviously everyone is still professional on this kind of movie, but there is an improvisational feel all the time, and everyone is there to play. It was a really great atmosphere. And I didn’t have to work out because I was like, she’s a doctor so they don’t have time. [laughs]

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Go Magazine has devoted a 6 page spread to Natalie in its January issue. Scans can be seen in our gallery, and the article is available below.

Here are the basic facts that most people know about Natalie Portman, the person: She was born in Israel; she’s a vegetarian (actually, vegan since 2009); she graduated from Harvard; and, perhaps, that she is a political and environmental activist.

That’s not a lot for someone who’s been in the spotlight for more than half her life. But Portman has always appeared guarded and controlled, playing her cards close to her chest. “Because of all the attention that you get when you’re in this business, you become very conscious of your public ‘face,’” she says. “You learn to control the impression you create to other people, and this creates the situation where you become that person you’ve tried to create, rather than letting yourself simply be who you are.”

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Access interviewed Natalie at a junket for her new film, “No Strings Attached,” on Friday. Read a short article/interview below.

Natalie Portman is feeling “lucky.”

With a new fiancé, a stellar performance in “Black Swan” which has sparked loads of award buzz and a baby on the way, life is almost too good but be true for the 29-year-old beauty.

“The apocalypse is coming so, I figured, get it all in before 2011 is out,” Natalie joked with Access’ Shaun Robinson of her exciting year. “I feel very lucky. It’s been a really, really lucky, lucky time.

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UK’s Marie Claire has published a small feature for Black Swan (which opens on January 21 in the UK) in its February issue. There is also a snippet of Natalie in the Hair section where hair colour specialists and experts comment on her hair style. Scans have been added to the gallery, and you can read the article below.

Natalie Portman describes the pain she endured to play a dancer in her new film. Talk about suffering for your art. For Darren Aronofsky’s new psycho sexual thriller, Black Swan, Natalie Portman trained for ten months to become a ballerina – no easy task when you’re 29. ‘There were a few days when I thought I might die.’ she says. Take the time she dislocated a rib during filming. ‘If I was touched there, it literally felt as if I was being stabbed,’she says. But, like dancers, who often carry injuries, the actress learned to live with it. Part of the art is hiding all the pain.’

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Scans of Natalie’s feature in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly have been added to our gallery with special thanks to Colleen for scanning them for us! Check them out and read the article below!

Her riveting performance as an obsessed ballerina in Black Swan has turned the art-house thriller into a surprise hit. Could Natalie Portman pirouette to the podium as best actress?

“Everyone was so worried about who was going to want to see this movie,” says Natalie Portman with a sigh of relief in her voice. It’s been a few weeks since her new drama, Black Swan, became an art-house hit, grossing more than $28 million to date, and the actress freely admits box office success was never a sure thing.

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