Aronofsky's "Black Swan" Opening Venice

The scene at the Venice Film Festival. Image courtesy of the festival.

Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" will open the 67th Venice International Film Festival, it has been confirmed by the festival. The film - a psychological thriller set in the world of ballet - will screen in competition, debuting the evening of September 1st in the Sala Grande, following the opening ceremony. Aronofsky won the festival's Golden Lion back in 2008 for his film "The Wrestler."

“The cast and crew of Black Swan are both excited and humbled by the festival's invitation. 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”, said Aronofsky in a statement.

Written by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz and John McLaughlin, "Swan" stars Natalie Portman as Nina, a featured dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company (Mila Kunis). Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey also star, and the film was produced by Protozoa Pictures and Phoenix Pictures and is being presented by Fox Searchlight Pictures in association with Cross Creek Pictures.

“What an honour and privilege it is to be selected as the opening night film” , said Fox Searchlight Presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, in a statement. “We could not have asked for a better launch for Darren and Black Swan than the Venice International Film Festival.”

The 67th Venice International Film Festival runs September 1-11, 2010.