“I’d like a child one day, but not instead of a life,” says Anamaria Vartolomei in a new trailer for “Happening.” From writer-director Audrey Diwan, the award-winning drama tells the story of Anne (Vartolomei), a gifted student dealing with an unwanted pregnancy in France in 1963.
Horrified to discover that she’s pregnant, Anne begs a doctor to “do something.” He refuses. “You can’t me ask me that. Anyone who helps can end up in jail. You too,” he explains.
The spot shows Anne seeking assistance from her friends, some of whom are more sympathetic than others.
Based on Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Happening” made its world premiere at Venice Film Festival, where it took home the festival’s top honor, the Golden Lion. It is the sixth woman-directed title to land the prize in the fest’s 78-year history. “Happening” also won big at France’s Lumière Awards, and is up for honors such as Best Film and Best Director at the César Awards, set to take place February 25.
“When I got an abortion myself, I wanted to read about it. I knew many of Annie Ernaux’s books, but didn’t know ‘Happening.’ I realized the huge gap between the experience of an illegal abortion and what I just went through. I felt a lack of representation,” Diwan told us. “By reading, I could feel Anne’s pain in my own body.”
“Happening” opens in theaters May 6. Diwan co-wrote its script with Ernaux and Marcia Romano.
