Interview: Director and star of the essential new film 'Happening'
Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:08PM by Nathaniel R
HAPPENING French poster (left), Actress Anamaria Vartolomei and Director Audrey Diwan in Venice (right)
Last year The Film Experience had two teammates in Venice for the first time. The Power of the Dog emerged as the buzziest title given its legendary director and a never better star. Another legendary director guided his celebrated muse to a Best Actress win with Parallel Mothers. But the revelation of the festival, since no one saw it coming, proved to be the intimate drama Happening from French writer/director Audrey Diwan. Elisa and I both raved about it in our festival coverage. When the festival came to a close Happening triumphed taking home the top prize, the Golden Lion. It's finally in US movie theaters courtesy of IFC Films. You shouldn't miss it.
The film, based on Annie Ernaux's memoir, is about a young gifted student who experiences an unwanted pregnancy in the 1960s. She doesn't know who to turn to for help or what can be done (abortion was then illegal in France). The filmmaker Audrey Diwan also came, initially, from the world of literature "I know this character. I've been reading about her forever since Annie Ernaux's work is always autobiographical." Diwan's own journey as an artist wasn't as clear to her at first. "I told myself I had to take my time in order to figure out exactly what matters to me and what I have to say." That patience and her clarity of vision has served her well in her breakthrough feature. I recently sat down with her and Happening's 23 year old tremendous leading lady Anamaria Vartolomei for a chat about their movie...
[This interview has been edited for length and clarity]
The Golden Lion for "Happening"
NATHANIEL R: You made quite a splash at Venice. How was that experience for you?
DIRECTOR AUDREY DIWAN: I must tell you we hadn't shown the movie to almost anyone at that point. At the very end of the premiere the room remained silent for a few seconds. I thought 'Okay, nobody can do this journey with this character!' When I heard people clapping I felt relief in a way I've never felt before.
It packs such a punch -- that accounts for the seconds of silence. How did you find Anamaria who is just perfect in this?
AUDREY DIWAN: I've been working with a casting director Elodie Demey for a few years and I really trust her. I told her which scenes were most important to me. I knew the grammar of how I wanted to shoot them. I only met with 10 actresses. I wanted someone who would be mentally strong enough to stay in character and not be impressed that the camera was going to be so close. I needed someone who had a subtle way of showing emotion -- a small smile would be a huge smile onscreen. If it was demonstrative or overplayed it would have made the movie unbearable. Finally, I wanted to find an intellectual partner because we're talking about a girl who will one day become a writer that we all know in France, Annie Ernaux. What really convinced me with Anamaria in our workshop was that she interviewed me.
ANAMARIA VARTOLOMEI: [Laughs]
AUDREY DIWAN: She was like 'I understand I will have to be naked in this sequence but I want to hear from you why I should do it.' I had this inner smile thinking 'She's already the character!'
Anamaria, You've been working since you were a teenager but this is a huge role. You have to carry the entire movie and you're always onscreen.
ACTRESS ANAMARIA VARTOLOMEI: It was quite challenging at some points. The physical pain scene was especially challenging. What if I don't succeed? But it was a character that I wanted to carry with me. This young lady is so focused on her future and she is so certain about what she wants to do. She's very strong and confident. I stole things from her that I'm going to keep. A part of her lives in me and she helps me to see the world with more bravery than I used to.
Audrey, I wanted to tell you that one of the reasons I love the movie is that it doesn't play at all like a message movie. People will talk about it as 'an abortion drama' but the characters aren't stand-ins for ideas but just people.
AUDREY DIWAN: That really really matters to me because I don't like message movies. I was very interested in the book and I always kept the character in mind. But I know the character. The way she sees the world, the way she talks about physical and sexual and intellectual desire and the way she reaches for freedom. I wanted to write about that character, not about abortion.
Just as the movie was about to open here in the US, we learned that Roe vs Wade was going to be overturned. I confess I dont know much about the politics in France. Are you worried about this there?
AUDREY: Not regarding this issue, particularly. But I think you've heard about our elections. What would happen if the right wing takes all control? I can't answer but we've seen it in other countries...
I wanted to ask you about the fact that it's a period film but it doesn't really feel like that. Your touch was very light in that regard.
AUDREY: I was trying to make it timeless. I was scared of doing "a period piece". That always comes with nostalgia and I have no nostalgia for that period, in regards to women's rights.
Anamaria was obviously a great find but the whole cast is strong. I loved Anna Mouglalis's performance. And you've got Luàna Bajrami who was so great in Portrait of a Lady on Fire. I was particularly thrilled to see Sandrine Bonnaire as Annie's mother. I've loved her since I first saw Vagabond.
Sandrina Bonnaire as Annie's mother in "HAPPENING"
ANAMARIA: Vagabond was one of the main references we had while shooting. Being able to play with her -- she's a major reference for young actresses in France from A Nos Amours. Working with her is a masterclass.
AUDREY: She slapped her face.
ANAMARIA: [Laughter]
AUDREY: I asked if they wanted to rehearse but Sandrine said 'no, we know how to handle this.' But at one point when we shot, I heard the true noise of a slap and I screamed. 'Ohmygod, Anamarie are you alive?'
ANAMARIA: She's a very interesting actress. She gave me very good advice. 'Do not be concerned about your look or how you look on camera. Let your character rise. Forget about yourself.' It seems like basic advice but it's very important.
That comes through. The whole movie feels so naturalistic and character driven. It's not presentational but visceral. No spoilers but there's one moment where Annie is in great pain...
AUDREY DIWAN: I don't want us to say much about the plot but the key scenes -- we have to hope the miracle happens as we expect it to when shooting. If it doesn't work, we try other things. If you want to make art, it's not safe.
ANAMARIA: I dont really like to rehearse those moments. I believe it only happens between action and cut. If i try to show you things, it's not right.
AUDREY: You do it in a very brave way.
How on earth are either of you going to follow this up? This has been so well received!
AUDREY: I'm working on my next movie. It's only the beginning but I know it's the right thing to do right now. I need both fear and desire to do something and I feel both. I love stories told through the body but it's a very different movie than Happening.
Can't wait. And Anamaria, this is such a stellar showcase for you. You won a Lumiere and a César. Have you been getting a lot off offers since the movie premiered?
ANAMARIA: It certainly has opened doors for me. I have access to some filmmakers and directors that I didn't dare to imagine before.
AUDREY: Huge ones. Watch where she's going!
ANAMARIA: I have three totally different projects that are waiting for me. I can't wait to start. I'm very thankful. Happening helped me to trust myself.
Okay last thing I have to ask about. I was talking to Kristen Stewart a couple of months ago and she was telling me about the Césars and how totally different they are then the Oscars. What was this past awards season like for you?
AUDREY: It's not a season, it's a night. [Both laugh] It's a completely different story! We don't have the same way of looking at it.
ANAMARIA: When I was young and knew I wanted to be an actresses I thought 'I'm going to watch the Césars on TV' Now having been there, I was very happy! You just have to enjoy it and not be too serious about it. It's a bonus.
Happening is now in limited release from IFC Films
more interviews | more on Happening
Reader Comments (5)
I don't like the English title.
Peggy Sue -- is that not a direct translation (i dont speak French!)
It is a direct translation ;-)
It is a direct translation ;-)
Sure! but I associate Happening to something more joyful than getting an abortion.