HAPPENING Trailer
A young woman seeks an illegal abortion in Happening, the latest from co-writer/director Audrey Diwan.
Based on the book of the same name by Annie Ernaux, the film follows Anne through her last days of school. She’s excelled so far and everyone believes she’s poised for bigger and better things. But she’s carrying a secret: a pregnancy that would derail all her plans for life. This is 1960s France, where abortion is illegal, so she must decide what she’s willing to risk to have the life she wants.
Abortion/contraception films have seen a steady rise in recent years, a sad bi-product of the trend towards conservatism throughout the Western world. We’re so deep in the growing fear (or reality, dependent on where you are) that access will be taken away that the stories range from serious dramas to lighthearted comedies, with this entry appearing to be firmly the former.
Happening has drawn near-universal acclaim during its festival run, with praise going to Diwan for her handling of the intimate material and ability to draw the audience into Anne’s situation. It’s a remarkable achievement for only her second film, but she’s not the only one being singled out for a career launch from this. Lead Anamaria Vartolomei received widespread acclaim as well, so on top of reportedly being a great film, this features several people to watch out for in the future.
Happening is directed by Audrey Diwan and stars Anamaria Vartolomei, Kacey Mottet Klein, and Luàna Bajrami. It will be released in the US on May 6th, 2022. For international release dates, click here.
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