Happening

In this clear-eyed, urgent tale—set in 1960s France, but feeling acutely timely—Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei) is a bright young student with a promising future. But when she becomes pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her background slipping away. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, and even if she must risk prison to do so. Based on Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel, Happening won the Best Film Award (the Golden Lion) at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. (Dir. by Audrey Diwan, 2022, France, in French with English subtitles, 100 mins., Not Rated / Contains graphic and intense scenes that may be disturbing for some viewers.  Discretion is advised.)