Rated R18+
Showing at Palace Nova Eastend
Alliance Française French Film Festival
(Reviewed by John Glennie)
A powerful drama, set in 1963 but still highly relevant today in many countries, filled with tension, emotion and some confronting and disturbing scenes!
It is the true story adapted from the autobiography of Annie Emaux. In the movie, Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei) is a star student with a promising future. She is stunned when she visits her doctor because of stomach pains, only to discover she is pregnant thanks to a first-time fling when on holiday. In 1963 France, girls having pre-marital sex had the stigma of being loose and socially outcast.
She begs the doctor to help her, but the laws meant that the “victim” (the pregnant girl), and anyone who assists in abortion, can face prison for murder. When she eventually reveals her situation to her close friends they have to agree not to be involved in any way. She seeks assistance from the father of the child and from another male friend whom she thinks may know a doctor who could help. The attitude of the latter angers Anne (and me, by the way) when he makes a move on her, saying “there’s no risk if you’re pregnant!”.
As her studies deteriorate rapidly, she becomes absorbed with her potentially life-changing situation. The doctor she was referred to gave her medication, but it didn’t work. The following steps taken really open your eyes of the emotional and physical trauma experienced by young girls in a similar situation.
As previously mentioned – very powerful and confronting! This is one film from the French Film Festival that is a must-see!
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