here is my review on happy old year.
I usually write my opinion down right after finishing something so that the impression is still clear and fresh.
For this I had to take a different approach.
I even took a break in the last half of the film and I had to let it sink in awhile.


Happy old year starts on a very cool and distanced note but as the movie progresses weighs down your soul more and more.
The colors are muted and cool almost straying into the black and white. The ambiance quiet and atmosphere heavy.
No unnecessary background noises, sometimes accompanied by a classical piece.

The approach is "minimal" much like the main persons wish to convert her house into a minimalistic office and living space.
Her approach: simple. Throw it out. No matter what it is. Don't get attached. Don't think about it
That changes abruptly with almost throwing a friend's present away.

"Some things won't go away just because you pretend to forget about it. It has to come from both sides for it to end"

So she brings back all the trash.
With each item she returns you can see her mood getting lighter almost a change to her stoicness
Until. There is a person she doesn't want to see.

( Im trying my best not to spoiler here but Im not too sure)

Relationships are difficult. Even more when you don't end them and just dissapear.
Feelings remain, things remain.
Is the issue solved with apologizing and being friends again?
The film doesn't take the predicted turn but instead dives even deeper.
People change as you dissapear. Even without you things happen.
"Why didn't you tell me?
Because I couldn't."
You never know ehat happens in a persons life after you leave. You never know what they were going through or what stage of their life they are in.

The question brought up: "aren't you doing it for yourself?"
Is she doing it for herself?
Apologizing returning all the stuff.
Is she just giving ger emotional baggage to other people thinking she did something good and feeling happy again?
Maybe some things returned make people happy and maybe some things shouldn't be returned at all, opening an old wound or bringing back the memories of broken relationships.
The zoom ins on the trashbags I think don't show the thrash but the things and feelings in them.
Out of mind out of sight. Or is it?

We take something with us from every person in our lifes. Be it memories or inspiration be it pain or fondness.
They change our lives in one way or another. It's impossible to pack it all up and throw it out.

Her mom holding on to her dads piano.
Even though he left.
Her throwing it away.
Did she break the circle or did she overstep the boundaries?

"We all do what's the best for us"


I think it's a very challenging and thought provoking movie. It's not made in a classic film pattern. No happy ending.
It makes you think about yourself and the people around you. It's more about the feelings and memories attached to things than it is to clean.
Throw it away or keep it?
Forget it or remember it?
Challenge yourself or give up?