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Happening

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7.2/10 • 442

2021-11-041h 40m

Drama

France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her social background disappearing. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, even if she must risk prison to do so.

Directors
Audrey Diwan
Editors
Géraldine Mangenot

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Anamaria Vartolomei

    Anamaria Vartolomei

    Anne Duchesne

  2. Kacey Mottet Klein

    Kacey Mottet Klein

    Jean

  3. Luàna Bajrami

    Luàna Bajrami

    Hélène

  4. Louise Orry-Diquéro

    Louise Orry-Diquéro

    Brigitte

  5. Pio Marmaï

    Pio Marmaï

    Pr. Bornec

  6. Sandrine Bonnaire

    Sandrine Bonnaire

    Gabrielle Duchesne

  7. Cyril Metzger

    Cyril Metzger

    Gaspard

  8. Anna Mouglalis

    Anna Mouglalis

    Madame Rivière

  9. Fabrizio Rongione

    Fabrizio Rongione

    Dr. Ravinsky

Reviews2

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Apr 24, 2022

6/10

"Anne" (Anamaria Vartolomei) is a young student studying to be a teacher, when she starts to feel stomach cramps. A visit to the doctor reveals that she is pregnant and the remainder of this drama relates to her decision not to have the baby. That's quite a stance to take in 1960s France where, much like in most of the rest of Europe, abortion is illegal, dangerous - and costly! It was an one-night-stand with "Max" (Julien Frison) that led to her condition, so she goes to visit him to see if he can help, but that's not much use and she finds herself largely alone trying to raise the money needed whilst her natural pre-occupation causes her grades to suffer. Much of the buildup to this autobiographical story is nothing special, to be honest; but for the last twenty minutes it becomes actually quite compelling. It reminded me of Imelda Staunton's excellent "Vera Drake" (2004). Not since then have I seen a film that openly deals with the dangers of backstreet abortions, of the stigma attached to those people who this who saw this as their only practical solution - and Vartolomei delivers her part confidently in what is essentially a strong, single-handed, performance that is quite effective at drawing us into her predicament and at making us think.

Media

  • Happening poster
  • Happening poster
  • Happening poster
  • Happening poster
  • Happening poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
French
Budget
--
Revenue
$171,765.00
Keywords
francepregnancywoman directorabortion1960s