Taymor’s ‘The Tempest,’ Starring Helen Mirren, To Close Venice Festival

The Venice Film Festival says this year’s edition will close with Julie Taymor’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”

The movie by the American director will make its world premiere at Venice, which runs Sept. 1-11.

The Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller called the production “unique and exhilarating,” and said in a release Monday that Taymor uses “trademark visual flair and creative direction.”

Prospera is portrayed by Oscar winner Helen Mirren.

Taymor worked with Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lang in her debut film, “Titus,” and her 2002 film “Frida” earned six Academy Award nominations and won two.

Natalie Portman’s turn as a competitive ballerina in “Black Swan,” will open the festival.