Dame Helen Mirren film shot in Leeds and Bradford to premiere at Venice

The film, which stars Academy Award-winners Jim Broadbent and Dame Helen Mirren, is based on the true story of Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver who, in 1961, stole Spanish artist Francisco Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London - the only theft in its history.

The 77th Venice Film Festival - considered one of the 'big five' such showcases - takes place between September 2 and 12.

Yorkshire locations used in the film include Cartwright Hall and Lister Park in Bradford and Hyde Park in Leeds.

Actors were also seen outside Bradford City Hall and Dame Helen found time to see last year's Snow White pantomime at the Alhambra.

Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly - he had long campaigned for pensioners to

receive free television.

Only 50 years later did the full story emerge.

Other cast included in the film are Fionn Whitehead, Matthew Goode and Anna Maxwell Martin.

The film was directed by BAFTA winner Roger Michell, from a script by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman.

It is a Pathé, Ingenious Media and Screen Yorkshire presentation of a Neon Films Production.

Nicky Bentham is the producer, while executive producers are Cameron McCracken and Jenny Borgars for Pathé, Andrea Scarso for Ingenious Media, Hugo Heppell for Screen Yorkshire, Peter Scarf and Christopher Bunton.

Pathé will release the film in the UK in spring 2021 and will also distribute the film in France and Switzerland as well as manage sales for the rest of the world.