As the news this week has made abundantly clear, abortion and reproductive justice are under siege in the United States. Irony of ironies, that means “Happening” — the award-winning drama about a student trying to procure an illegal abortion in 1960s France — couldn’t be arriving at a better time. The film is opening in New York and Los Angeles tomorrow, May 6, and will roll out nationwide May 13.
In light of the leaked Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization opinion draft, “Happening” distributor IFC Films and rePRO Film, a film org dedicated to women’s reproductive healthcare, hosted a conversation with Diwan about the future of reproductive rights and the representation of abortion in cinema. The filmmaker was joined by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) data analyst Steph Herold and Trust Women co-executive director Rebecca Tong. rePRO Film Periodical Podcast host Asha Dahya moderated the chat.
Based on Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Happening” won the Golden Lion, Venice Film Festival’s top prize, last fall. It has also received a César Award, two Lumiere Awards, and two honors from Palm Springs International Film Festival. Diwan, who penned the film with Marcia Romano, described the protagonist’s journey as “an absolute quest for freedom.” The director added, “She defends her sexual freedom, her pleasure, and her intellectual future as well.”
rePRO and Trust Women will also be presenting a special screening of “Happening” at Wichita Art Museum on May 11. You can find out more or purchase tickets here.
Check out the talk with Diwan below or on YouTube.
