Ballet thriller Black Swan to open Venice film festival
Psychological thriller Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman, will open this year's Venice film festival, organisers have said.
The film, from US director Darren Aronofsky, also features Vincent Cassel and Winona Ryder. It centres on the rivalry between two dancers at a cutthroat ballet company in New York. Aronofsky won Venice's top prize, the Golden Lion, in 2008 with The Wrestler, which starred Mickey Rourke. "The cast and crew of Black Swan are both excited and humbled by the selection committee's invitation," said Aronofsky. "It is an honour to walk the great red carpet on the Lido, and we are excited to premiere our film to the wonderful audiences in Venice," he said in a statement. The Venice festival runs from 1-11 September. The full line-up will be unveiled later this month. US director Quentin Tarantino is heading this year's jury.