Annie Ernaux – The Event

In 1960s France, gifted literature student Anne faces an existential decision: an unwanted pregnancy threatens to destroy her dream of a life as a writer. As an unwed mother, she would be socially ostracized, while an illegal abortion could land her in prison—as well as the doctors who assist her. Even advocating for contraception was a criminal offense at the time.

Based on the autobiographical narrative by Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux, Audrey Diwan’s award-winning film (Golden Lion) powerfully recounts Anne’s fight for self-determination. The director transforms Ernaux’s radical text into a raw, empathetic story that underscores the timeless relevance of the issue. With Anamaria Vartolomei in the lead role, the film paints a moving portrait of a young woman seeking her own path in an era defined by repression.