The Cinematic Convergence: Alberto Iglesias Scores Nanni Moretti’s ‘It Will Happen Tonight’
The intersection of two European cinematic titans—composer Alberto Iglesias and director Nanni Moretti—has culminated in one of the most anticipated collaborations of the 2026 film season. The upcoming Italian-French-Spanish romantic comedy-drama, It Will Happen Tonight (Succederà Questa Notte), features a highly anticipated original score by the Academy Award-nominated Iglesias, known for his long-standing and evocative partnership with Pedro Almodóvar.
As the film prepares for its world premiere at the 2026 Venice Film Festival this weekend, the industry is buzzing about the tonal synthesis between Moretti’s signature introspective storytelling and the delicate, often melancholic, musical architecture of Iglesias.
Main Facts: A Convergence of Artistic Vision
It Will Happen Tonight marks a significant departure for Nanni Moretti, the Palme d’Or-winning director celebrated for his deeply personal, often autobiographical works such as The Son’s Room and Sweet Dreams. The film, which explores the profound resonance of fleeting human connections, serves as a narrative meditation on fate and the "missed encounters" that define a life.
The screenplay, co-written by Moretti, Federica Pontremoli (A Brighter Tomorrow), and Valia Santella (The Traitor), draws its inspiration from the short story collection Hungry Heart (Lev Raev) by acclaimed Israeli author Eshkol Nevo. The narrative follows the trajectories of a man and a woman whose lives intersect repeatedly over the span of several years, beginning with a singular, transient encounter that leaves a lasting emotional footprint.
The ensemble cast features a pan-European lineup of talent, including Louis Garrel, Jasmine Trinca, Hippolyte Girardot, Angela Finocchiaro, Elena Lietti, Melina Äkerman, Andrea Lattanzi, and Antonio De Matteo. Produced by Domenico Procacci—a long-time collaborator of Moretti known for Gomorrah and We Have a Pope—the project is positioned as a prestige title for the European winter release window, with an Italian and Spanish theatrical rollout slated for December 2026.
Chronology: A Trajectory of Collaboration
The journey to It Will Happen Tonight has been one of careful curation and long-term artistic planning.
Early Development (2024–2025)
The project began development in late 2024, following the success of Moretti’s previous ventures. By early 2025, the adaptation rights to Eshkol Nevo’s Hungry Heart were secured, and the script was finalized by the trio of Moretti, Pontremoli, and Santella. The casting process moved swiftly throughout mid-2025, with production commencing in Rome and Madrid later that year.
The Scoring Phase (Early 2026)
Alberto Iglesias was attached to the project in early 2026. Having recently concluded work on Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas (which saw a successful Spanish release in March 2026), Iglesias entered the studio to develop a soundscape that could bridge the gap between the film’s urban settings and the internal, psychological landscapes of its protagonists.
Festival Premiere and Distribution (Late 2026)
Following the post-production phase, the film was officially selected for the 2026 Venice Film Festival. Its premiere this weekend marks the formal unveiling of the collaboration between Moretti and Iglesias. While Italian and Spanish distribution deals are locked for a December release, international audiences remain in a state of anticipation, as no domestic (U.S.) distribution partner has been formally announced at this time.
Supporting Data: The Iglesias Legacy
Alberto Iglesias’s involvement in It Will Happen Tonight is more than a creative choice; it is a testament to his status as one of the most versatile and influential composers in contemporary film. His filmography reads as a history of modern European cinema:
- The Almodóvar Connection: His partnership with Pedro Almodóvar—spanning Volver, The Skin I Live In, Parallel Mothers, and the recent The Room Next Door—has defined the "sound" of Spanish emotional drama.
- Global Reach: Beyond Spain, Iglesias has successfully translated his mastery to the international stage with works such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), The Constant Gardener, and The Kite Runner.
- Recent Output: The release of Bitter Christmas earlier this year further solidified his reputation for crafting scores that are both technically complex and emotionally accessible. With its U.S. theatrical release scheduled for November 25, 2026, the industry expects a "double-feature" effect, where Iglesias’s name will appear on two of the year’s most significant international exports.
Official Responses and Creative Impetus
In brief comments released ahead of the Venice premiere, Nanni Moretti characterized the collaboration as an essential evolution of the film’s narrative structure. "The film is about time, repetition, and the ghost of what could have been," Moretti noted. "Alberto’s music does not just accompany the scene; it articulates the spaces between the dialogue. It acts as the internal monologue of characters who are often too guarded to speak their true feelings."
Domenico Procacci, the film’s producer, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the logistical and creative harmony of the production. "Bringing together a team from across Italy, France, and Spain required a unifying language. Alberto provided that through his score. It is a score that bridges borders, much like the film itself attempts to bridge the lives of our protagonists."
While Iglesias himself has remained characteristically understated, his recent public statements regarding his scoring philosophy emphasize "transparency." He describes his work on It Will Happen Tonight as an exercise in "minimalist accumulation"—starting with singular, sparse musical threads that grow in complexity as the characters’ lives become increasingly intertwined.
Implications: A Shift in European Co-Production
The production and release of It Will Happen Tonight carry several significant implications for the European film industry:
1. The Power of Pan-European Financing
The collaboration highlights the increasing viability of multi-national co-productions. By leveraging Italian, French, and Spanish resources, Moretti has managed to create a film that is distinctly European in flavor while maintaining a universal narrative core. This model is expected to become a benchmark for high-budget drama in the coming years.
2. The Resurgence of the Romantic Drama
In a cinematic climate often dominated by franchise blockbusters and high-concept genre films, It Will Happen Tonight signals a potential shift back toward human-scale, character-driven dramas. The reliance on established names like Moretti and Iglesias suggests that audiences—and financiers—are hungry for "prestige" storytelling that prioritizes psychological depth over spectacle.
3. The "Iglesias Effect" in Global Markets
With his scores for both Bitter Christmas and It Will Happen Tonight hitting the global stage in the final quarter of 2026, Iglesias is set to dominate the awards conversation for Original Score. His ability to navigate the different temperaments of Almodóvar and Moretti underscores his range. For international distributors, the presence of an Iglesias score is increasingly viewed as a "seal of quality," a factor that may expedite the acquisition of a U.S. distribution deal in the coming months.
4. Literary Adaptation as a Cultural Bridge
By adapting Eshkol Nevo’s Hungry Heart, the production team has demonstrated the ongoing importance of literary adaptation in European cinema. The success of the film at the box office could lead to a renewed interest in Nevo’s work and encourage similar cross-border literary collaborations.
Conclusion
As the lights dim at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of It Will Happen Tonight, the expectations are high. The film represents a delicate balancing act: a story of fleeting moments captured through the lens of a director known for his meticulousness, underscored by the melodic precision of one of cinema’s greatest composers. Whether or not it secures a domestic U.S. release, the film has already succeeded in its primary goal—creating a profound, evocative, and lasting impression on the international cinematic landscape of 2026.
The coming weeks, as the film moves toward its December release, will undoubtedly reveal whether this "missed connection" story hits home with global audiences, but one thing remains certain: the partnership between Nanni Moretti and Alberto Iglesias has produced a work that is as haunting as it is beautiful.
