The Tempest to close Venice Festival

© istockphoto.com/ nejat talas

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 September 1-11.

The Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller called the production "unique and exhilarating," and said in a release on 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.