Happening (film)
Happening | |
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French | L'événement |
Directed by | Audrey Diwan |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | L'événement by Annie Ernaux |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Laurent Tangy |
Edited by | Géraldine Mangenot |
Music by |
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Production companies |
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Distributed by | Wild Bunch |
Release date |
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Running time | 100 minutes |
Country | France |
Language | French |
Happening (French: L'événement) is a 2021 French drama film directed by Audrey Diwan from a screenplay by Diwan and Marcia Romano, based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Annie Ernaux. The film stars Anamaria Vartolomei and Luàna Bajrami and is set to be distributed by Wild Bunch.
It was selected to world premiere in competition at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 6 September 2021, where the film won the Golden Lion and received generally positive reviews from critics.
Plot[]
In 1963 France, Anne, a bright young student, gets pregnant, seeing her opportunities to finish her studies and excel slipping from her. As her final exams approach and her social life begins to fade, Anne's pregnancy progresses, forcing her to confront the shame and pain of an abortion, even if she must risk prison to do so.
Cast[]
- Anamaria Vartolomei as Anne
- Kacey Mottet Klein
- Sandrine Bonnaire
- Louise Orry-Diquero as Brigitte
- Louise Chevillotte
- Pio Marmaï
- Anna Mouglalis
- Fabrizio Rongione
- Luàna Bajrami
- Leonor Oberson
- Julien Frison
- Alice de Lencquesaing
Production[]
During an interview on 23 April 2019 about her directorial debut film Losing It, screenwriter Audrey Diwan revealed she was adapting Annie Ernaux's 2000 autobiographical novel L'événement (translated as Happening), stating that the book was "very important" to her.[1] On 29 May 2020, the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, an agency of the French Ministry of Culture, announced they would support the film, moving the project into pre-production.[2]
Principal photography for the film commenced on 27 July 2020 and took place throughout the summer.[3][4] The film entered post-production in January 2021.[5]
Release[]
The film had its world premiere in competition at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 6 September 2021.[6] Prior to, Wild Bunch acquired distribution rights to the film for France in July 2021.[4]
Reception[]
Critical response[]
Guy Lodge, writing for Variety, praised the film's acting, particularly that of Anamaria Vartolomei's in the lead role that was described as "career-elevating".[7] The Guardian's film festival critic Xan Brooks called the film "serious, gripping and finally honourable" and commended the cinematography of Laurent Tangy, saying that "the picture's tight framing is like a noose around her neck".[8]
Accolades[]
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
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Venice Film Festival | 11 September 2021 | Golden Lion | Audrey Diwan | Won | [9] |
References[]
- ^ Raymond, Vincent (23 April 2019). "Audrey Diwan : " le doute m'a permis d'avancer "". Le Petit Bulletin (in French). Archived from the original on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (29 May 2020). "The CNC grants an advance on receipts to Pierre Salvadori's La Petite Bande". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Diwan, Audrey [@audrey.diwan] (27 July 2020). "L'événement - Jour 1 #annieernaux #rectangleproductions". Retrieved 26 July 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Lemercier, Fabien (21 July 2021). "Audrey Diwan's Happening creates quite a buzz". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Lemercier, Fabien (12 January 2021). "31 market premieres to screen at the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "L'Événement". 78th Venice International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (6 September 2021). "'Happening' Review: A Potent French Abortion Drama That Takes Place in 1963, and Feels All Too Current". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ Brooks, Xan (6 September 2021). "Happening review – sex and abortion on the new frontline in 60s France". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (11 September 2021). "Venice Film Festival: 'L'Événement' Wins Golden Lion, 'Hand Of God' Takes Grand Jury Prize, Jane Campion Best Director, Penelope Cruz Best Actress, Maggie Gyllenhaal Best Screenplay – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
External links[]
- Official website
- Happening at IMDb
- Happening at Douban (in Chinese)
- 2021 films
- French-language films
- 2021 drama films
- Films about abortion
- Films about education
- Films about sexism
- Films about sexuality
- Films about sexual repression
- Films about society
- Films about students
- Films based on autobiographies
- Films set in 1963
- Films set in France
- Films set in universities and colleges
- French drama films
- French films
- French films based on actual events
- Golden Lion winners
- Wild Bunch (company) films