Happening

In 1963, Anne is a bright university student in Angoulême, France. Despite her intelligence and ambitions, she faces ridicule from her peers, who wrongly label her as promiscuous due to societal pressures.

During a visit to her family in the countryside, Anne seeks medical advice regarding her health. Her world turns upside down when the doctor reveals that she is pregnant, a truth she vehemently denies.

Feeling trapped by her circumstances, Anne begs the doctor to help her terminate the pregnancy. However, he refuses to assist due to ethical and legal reasons, leaving Anne feeling helpless.

Seeking alternative help, Anne approaches another doctor in the city who offers her an injection, claiming it will help her miscarry. Unbeknownst to her, the injection only serves to sustain her pregnancy.

Desperate for support, Anne turns to her classmate Jean, but instead of offering assistance, he makes a crude proposition regarding her pregnancy. This reinforces Anne's feelings of isolation as she realizes she cannot rely on her peers.

In a moment of utter despair, Anne attempts to abort the pregnancy herself using a knitting needle. This dangerous act proves unsuccessful and deepens her sense of loneliness and abandonment.

Anne confides in her boyfriend Maxime about her plans for an abortion, only to be met with disbelief and anger. Their fierce argument leaves Anne emotionally drained and without support at a critical time.

Jean introduces Anne to a female acquaintance experienced in abortion procedures. This new contact provides crucial information about the process, including the high cost involved, pushing Anne into a corner.

Desperate to find the 400 francs needed for the procedure, Anne begins selling her personal belongings. Each sale represents a painful step toward confronting her reality and the choices she must make.

The abortion takes place in a woman's apartment under strict silence to avoid alarming neighbors. Anne's anxiety grows as she faces the unknowns of the procedure, reflecting the distressing nature of her situation.

After the first attempt at the abortion fails to induce a miscarriage, Anne is forced to return to the abortionist. This time, a second wand is inserted, and she is warned of potential complications.

The procedure takes a turn as Anne suffers through a complex and painful miscarriage back in her dormitory. She experiences both physical pain and emotional turmoil as her struggles come to a head.

Concerned for Anne's well-being, a dorm mate finds her in distress and calls for help. Despite their efforts, Anne's situation is documented simply as a miscarriage, further stripping her of agency.

With the trials she has faced weighing heavily on her, Anne musters the strength to return to university. Her determination to complete her final exams signals a potential new beginning amidst her tumultuous journey.