1963, Angoulême: A gifted, ambitious, working-class university student, Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei) is horrified to find herself pregnant. Abortion is still illegal in France, and every door potentially available to her is closed. As her final exams approach and her pregnancy progresses, she is forced to confront the horrifying shame and danger of an illegal abortion, even if she must risk prison, and her life, to do so.

Styling Anne’s quest as a taut but sober thriller, Diwan’s poised, potent film joins other empathetic but tough-minded art-house studies of women attempting to navigate abortion illegality such as 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days.

Vartolomei is brilliant as Anne, falling into increasing despair; offered only lukewarm support by her peers and finally alone as she risks everything for her physical and intellectual freedom. Bringing its still repressive early ’60s, pre-Pill era vividly to life, Happening marks Diwan out as a vital new talent.

Winner of the Golden Lion at Venice 2021.

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