Happening

Set in 1963 France, the story follows Anne, a bright student who hopes to build a life beyond her modest background. When she learns she is pregnant, the clash between upcoming exams and a growing body presses hard on her. As graduation nears, Anne weighs a choice that could upend everything she has worked toward. She resolves to act to influence her future, knowing it will bring shame and pain and the possibility of punishment. The path she chooses places her in a social storm where risk and resolve collide and personal autonomy confronts a rigid moral code. The tension grows as exams loom, judgment tightens and expectation weighs heavily.

Directed by Audrey Diwan, Happening adapts Annie Ernaux's autobiographical novel with a screenplay by Marcia Romano. The 2021 drama is noted for its austere, immersive approach that centers a young woman's fight for control over her own life and future.

At Venice 2021 the film captured the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, signaling broad critical acclaim for its uncompromising craft and the courage of its storytelling. The win highlighted Diwan's confident direction and Anamaria Vartolomei's restrained performance, helping cement Happening as a standout achievement in contemporary European cinema today.

Happening sparked discussion beyond festivals by confronting a topic still surrounded by stigma. Its stark visuals and intimate focus on a young woman's choice have resonated in debates about reproductive rights, raising questions about autonomy and the power of cinema to illuminate personal crisis for many viewers around the world.

Critics generally praised the film for its gaze, precise pacing, and Anamaria Vartolomei's poised performance, contributing to a solid audience response that sits at 7.183 out of 10 from 494 votes. The film centers on agency, choice, and survival within a rigid social climate, resonating with audiences today worldwide.