Happening (2021)

This is the story of Anne, a young woman who decides to abort to finish her studies and escape the social constraints of a working-class family. France in 1963: a society that censures women’s desires. And sex in general. This simple but cruel story follows the itinerary of a woman who decides to go against the law. Anne has only a little time before her. Her exams are just around the corner, and her baby bump is growing fast.This film is about the horrors of abortion or the lack of possibility to have one. “I want to have a child later, but I don’t want a child instead of the life” the film heroine states at one of her doctors appointments. But being a young woman in the 60s meant exactly that- you could forget a free life and career if you became pregnant. The film told the story very close to the main character, tight cinematography. This is good for intimacy and really increases the horrors of her several attempts at aborting the fetus. At the same time I feel like the film misses a bit out on showing us the world around her, it’s not a queens gambit like costume piece… if it weren’t for the old cars it could have also been set in the 90s/2000s in terms of costumes and styling I feel. But that’s also what gives the story a lot of actuality because it makes you think directly of the horrible situations woman go through today in countries where abortion is forbidden.I left the film with a feeling of uneasiness and needed to take a hot shower at home.Good acting in general, nudity without voyeurism which I greatly appreciated.