Smothered by your own shame

Happening is a 2021 French thriller drama based on Annie Ernaux's novel, L'événement, published in 2000. It follows Anne in 1963 navigating final exams and an unexpected pregnancy. The film is a graphic, raw depiction of the journey Anne goes on to end her pregnancy, risking imprisonment and her own life.

Throughout Happening, we see how feelings of shame smother Anne's life. In 1963 France, abortion (and assisting someone to terminate) was illegal, and those caught face criminal charges. As a result of this law, a social stigma is formed around women's sexuality, leading to shame and humiliation for those who do not adhere to the rules; something we are not unfamiliar with in our own society. Shame is primarily regarded as an affect in the psychological world; an emotion felt by the individual when they experience feelings of humiliation or embarrassment. But through a more socio-political lens, should we see shame as a form of social control? People who fail to adhere to certain rules and laws are punished by themselves, punished by their shame, coupled with any social or criminal consequences, just like Anne is.

Anne begins to struggle with continuing her studies, and her grades begin to fault as a result. But after Anne follows through with attempts to terminate the pregnancy, she goes to her teacher to explain her lapse in performance and says that she came down with 'the illness that strikes only women and turns them into housewives'. This line stood out for me the most, exploring the attitude towards pregnancy that Anne, and probably society at the time, had. She does mention that she would like to have a child one day, but not at the cost of her giving up her life and aspirations of becoming a writer. The idea that motherhood and a career were two polar opposites that cannot coexist is striking, but the reality for young women at the time.

Throughout the film we see Anne always returning to the bathroom, splashing and rinsing her face with water. This left me wondering if this was an artistic choice by the directors, showing how Anne wanted to cleanse herself of the 'sin'; to wash away the humiliation and feel clean and 'pure' again.

Happening was a difficult watch, but with such an important message and story to tell. It encapsulates being smothered by your own shame, and gruesome reality of the struggles women in this situation had to face.

Reviewed by Dani Olliffe BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling student at University of Westminster; Associate at Founder's Taboo and Freelance Virtual Assistant to Psychology businesses.