Nanni Moretti's romantic drama 'It Will Happen Tonight' received a nine-minute ovation during its Venice Film Festival premiere, celebrating the director's return after 37 years.
Nanni Moretti's latest romantic drama, It Will Happen Tonight, premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2026, receiving a resounding nine-minute ovation from the audience. This momentous occasion marks Moretti's return to the festival after a 37-year hiatus, with his last appearance being in 1989 with Palombella Rossa (Red Wood Pigeon).
The significant ovation not only highlights the film's warm reception but also reflects the director's esteemed standing in cinema, particularly after his lengthy absence from this prestigious platform. Moretti had navigated numerous festivals over the decades, but his reluctance to return to Venice stemmed largely from his film schedules, which often clashed with the festival's timeline.
Moretti's previous absence from Venice sparked various debates. His last premiere, Palombella Rossa, faced exclusion from the main competition, generating controversy and speculation regarding political motivations. The director has previously commented on his absence, stating, “I wasn’t snubbing the film festival; it’s simply because I usually shoot my films in the summer, and they’re never ready for Venice but rather for Cannes.” With It Will Happen Tonight filmed in autumn, he seized the opportunity to submit it to the festival.
It Will Happen Tonight is loosely based on Israeli writer Eshkol Nevo's short story, Hungary Heart. The film features Louis Garrel and Jasmine Trinca, portraying a bookseller and an actress entangled in a romantic relationship while simultaneously involved with other partners. This film is particularly significant in Moretti's career as it is only his second competing film for the coveted Golden Lion, following Sweet Dreams, which won the Special Jury Prize in 1981.
Moretti usually debuts his films at Cannes, where he has premiered nine films, including notable works like The Son’s Room, which won the Palme d'Or in 2004. His attendance at Venice reveals a potential shift in his promotional strategy. The accolades received for It Will Happen Tonight indicate a resurgence not only for Moretti but also for Italian cinema on a global stage.
The enthusiastic response to It Will Happen Tonight at Venice suggests a promising trajectory for both the film and Moretti's future projects. With prestigious awards and potential international distribution on the horizon, this highly regarded director's return is likely to rejuvenate interest in his previous works as well as in his evolving film style. Nanni Moretti has once again proven that he remains a relevant and influential voice in modern cinema.
For further coverage, check out our articles on Nanni Moretti's It Will Happen Tonight Premiere at Venice Film Festival and A24's Primetime Starring Robert Pattinson which also garnered acclaim at the festival.
Entertainment news
EpisodeBreakdown may use automated tools to assist research, drafting, and formatting. Published pages are governed by our editorial and corrections policies, and source links are shown when they are available in the article record.
Discovery source: Deadline. The source identifies where the topic was discovered; EpisodeBreakdown is responsible for the commentary published on this page.
Reader response
Reactions and poll results are based on real reader responses. No account is required.
