Happening

Happening

Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, Happening (L’événement) is a gripping and deeply human drama that confronts the urgent realities of bodily autonomy, freedom, and survival. Directed by Audrey Diwan and based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Nobel Prize–winning author Annie Ernaux, the film is both intimate and unflinching in its portrayal of a woman’s struggle against the societal and moral constraints of her time.

Set in 1963 France, the story follows Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei), a bright, ambitious student from a working-class background whose plans for her future are derailed by an unplanned pregnancy. In a society where abortion is illegal and sex itself is shrouded in shame, Anne must navigate secrecy, fear, and isolation as she desperately seeks a way to reclaim control over her body and her destiny.

Diwan’s direction is restrained yet devastating, capturing Anne’s ordeal with empathy and precision. Vartolomei delivers a quietly powerful performance, embodying both the vulnerability and resilience of a woman facing impossible choices in an unforgiving world.

Tense, courageous, and profoundly moving, Happening is not only a period piece but a timely reflection on the ongoing struggle for women’s rights. It’s a film that lingers—an urgent reminder of how fragile freedom can be, and how vital it is to defend it.

Screening With:

Therefore, Socrates Is Mortal (Donc, Socrate est mortel)

Canadian Short Showcase 

Facing the climate crisis, Louise, a philosophy teacher, turns words into action.

12 mins 34s
Canada, 2021
Dir. Alexandre Isabelle
Language: French (with English subtitles)