Winner of the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival, Happening (L’Événement) is a searing and unforgettable portrait of personal agency in the face of systemic oppression. Adapted from Annie Ernaux’s memoir, this critically acclaimed drama by director Audrey Diwan has been hailed as one of the most powerful films of the decade, earning accolades from the BAFTAs, Gotham Awards, Lumières Awards, and César Awards.
Set in 1963 France, Happening follows Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei, in a career-defining performance), a brilliant university student whose future is threatened when she discovers she is pregnant. With abortion still illegal, Anne embarks on a harrowing journey to seek a solution—risking her health, her friendships, and her very place in society. Shot with unflinching intimacy, the film refuses to turn away from Anne’s struggle, making for a profoundly gripping and urgent viewing experience.
Universally acclaimed, Happening holds a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and has been praised for its raw realism and stunning cinematography. More than a period drama, it is a timely and vital reflection on the stakes of reproductive freedom.
BEFORE THE FILM
There will be two screenings:
- Scratch and Crow, a whimsical and heartfelt animated short exploring themes of life, death, and spirituality, rendered in director Helen Hill’s unique artistic style. (4.5 mins)
- Ten Leaves Dilated, a surreal and darkly humorous short documentary from director Kate E. Hinshaw that examines cultural taboos surrounding discussions of childbirth. Through a blend of archival footage, stop-motion animation, and interviews, the film critiques the sanitized narratives often presented about birth, contrasting them with the complex and often unspoken realities experienced by women. (14 mins)
