Emmanuelle to open San Sebastian Film Festival

Audrey Diwan's Emmanuelle will open San Sebastian Film Festival on September 20 Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Emmanuelle has been announced as the opening film for this year's San Sebastian Film Festival.

Audrey Diwan Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

The world premiere of the drama, by Happening director Audrey Diwan, will open the 72nd edition on September 20 and be be attended by its director and leading cast.

Diwan, who won Venice's Golden Lion in 2021 for Happening and was part of the Official Jury in San Sebastian that same year, has co-written the screenplay with fellow filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski. The film "follows the steps of a woman in search of a lost pleasure, whose business trip to Hong Kong will initiate numerous encounters including her meeting with Kei, a man who constantly eludes her".

The film will be part of the Official Competition at the festival and stars Portrait Of A Lady On Fire actor Noémie Merlant, alongside Naomi Watts, Will Sharpe, Jamie Campbell Bower, Chacha Huang and Anthony Wong.

Emmanuelle is produced by Chantelouve, Rectangle Productions and Goodfellas. Beta Fiction Spain will distribute the film in Spain. The film will be released in France by Pathé on 25 September.