Happening (film)

Happening
Theatrical release poster
FrenchL'Événement
Directed byAudrey Diwan
Screenplay by
  • Audrey Diwan
  • Marcia Romano
Based onL'événement
by Annie Ernaux
Produced by
  • Edouard Weil
  • Alice Girard
Starring
CinematographyLaurent Tangy
Edited byGéraldine Mangenot
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byWild Bunch
Release dates
  • 6 September 2021 (2021-09-06) (Venice)
  • 24 November 2021 (2021-11-24) (France)
Running time
100 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench
Box office$1.6 million

Happening (French: L'Événement) is a 2021 French period drama film directed by Audrey Diwan. The film's adapted screenplay was written by Diwan and Marcia Romano from the 2000 memoir Happening by Annie Ernaux. Set in 1963, the film stars Anamaria Vartolomei as Anne, who experiences the emotionally and physically traumatic process of obtaining an abortion in France before it was legalized. The film also stars Luàna Bajrami, Pio Marmaï, Sandrine Bonnaire, Anna Mouglalis, Louise Chevillotte, Kacey Mottet Kelin, and Louise Orry-Diquéro in supporting roles with cinematography by Laurent Tangy.

Happening premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2021, where it won the Golden Lion and received universal acclaim from critics. It was released in French theatres by Wild Bunch on 24 November 2021. It was well received, being nominated for and winning numerous awards at the BAFTAs, Gotham Awards, Lumière Awards, and César Awards.