Iria del Rio as Ana, and Francesco Carril as Oscar
Reminiscent of ‘Sliding Doors’ (1998), ‘The New Years’, spans the relationship of Ana and Óscar over a period of 10 years, exploring their choices with an element of ‘what if’ every time they seem to embark on the wrong road. There is a particular intensity to the intimacy that is characteristic of Sorogoyen, seen in his works right from his short Mother (2018). He delves into the minds and feelings of his characters without brakes. The superb performances of both Iria del Rio and Francesco Carril carry the momentum effortlessly, capturing the moments of joy and pain.
The story starts out on New Year’s Eve in 2015 when Ana is at a loose end (it is her 30th birthday on January 1st) and Óscar (whose birthday lands on that very New Year’s Eve), but he is in a state, mourning the breakdown of his relationship with ex, Vero (Lucía Martín Bello).
A doctor, he is unhappy stuck on a low-paid contract, and still ‘sad’ finds himself unable to move on. Ana is a free agent, no partner, no job and pragmatic. The turn of events mean they end up sharing a magical night together but it seems any future together is not to be, as Ana has already taken out a visa to go and work and live in Canada in the new year. However, their spark that has lit a fuse that will not easily be extinguished. We sit on the edge of our seats on the: will they, won’t they, throughout this infectious tale.
The writing flows with witty dialogues that are funny and honest. The close group of friends meld convincingly and Sorogoyen manages to convey a lifetime in a glance. Sorogoyen explores the vagaries of life in this group over the 10 years between the ages of 30 and 40 and how their decisions and choices affect their future, creating a totally convincing world that we are pulled into. Being careful to use a lot of low lighting and close- ups, the series is intimately and sensitively shot by DOP Lali Rubio Panadés. The casting is also spot on, for this kind of tale that is particularly important.
Neither Ana nor Óscar find it easy to accept the love they clearly share, fighting against type and trying, not very successfully, to live independently of each other.
Every episode in the mini-series is another year in their lives, as they meet again and again on New Year’s Eve of 2016, 2017 and so on. Although most ‘coming of age’ stories are based on teenagers, this is also a ‘coming of age’ tale, only it deals with another time, of finding maturity and peace closer to middle- age. This is an honest analysis of how modern life with all its complications and pressures affects our decisions and ultimate happiness.
The question remains: can they find their way back together after so much life and baggage has flowed in between?
LOS AÑOS NUEVOS, (The New Years -2024) is available on MUBI now.
Episodes directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Sandra Romero Acevedo and David de los Santos.
Written by Rodrigo Sorogoyen with Sara Cano & Paula/ Production: Domingo Corral, Fran Araújo, Nacho Lavilla Eduardo Villanueva and Rodrigo Sorogoyen/DOP: Lali Rubio Panadés/ Editors: Alberto de Campo & Mario Sierra / Sound Designed: Gabriel Gutiérrez/ Casting: Arantxa Vélez & Paula Cámara.
Cast: Ana: Iria del Río / Óscar: Francesco Carril/ Vero: Lucía Marftín Bello / Eduardpo: Benjamín Prado/ Guille: Pablo Gómez-Pando/ Palo: Ana Telenti/ Production Company: Caballo Films.
