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Sorogoyen’s ‘the new years’: a television masterpiece redefining storytelling
An Exploration of Change Through Yearly Glimpses
As Spanish TV production remains resilient amidst global cutbacks, few new series stand out as significantly as Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s latest offering, “The New Years” (originally “Los Años Nuevos”). Produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with Caballo Films and Arte France, this series promises to leave a lasting mark on the television landscape.
Emerging on the international stage
A Movistar Plus+ Original, “The New Years” premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. Sharing the spotlight with series from renowned directors such as Alfonso Cuarón and Thomas Vinterberg, it has quickly been hailed by critics as the Spanish series of the year. Sorogoyen, best known for “The Beasts“, has demonstrated his penchant for innovative storytelling, a trait that is unmistakably evident in his newest creation.
A closer look at the storyline
At its core, “The New Years” is a neo-Western that delves into the intricacies of conflict negotiation. Spanning over a decade, the series paints an intimate portrait of Ana (Iría del Río) and Oscar (Francesco Carril), documenting their evolving relationship from their first meeting on New Year’s Eve 2015. What sets this series apart is its unique structure: each of the 10 episodes occurs on New Year’s Eve, allowing viewers to witness the characters’ growth and struggles year after year.
This innovative format, with episodes free of credit scrolls and intertitles, helps maintain a cinematic flow. It’s a storytelling method that invites viewers to deeply consider how much people can change over time. According to Movistar Plus+ Director of Fiction and Entertainment, Domingo Corral, the structure of the series “allows you to consider change.”
Thematic depth and character development
Sorogoyen masterfully contrasts the divergent qualities that both unite and threaten to tear apart the couple. Ana’s spontaneity and ability to live in the moment clash with Oscar’s stability, creating a tension that permeates their relationship. Each episode oscillates in tone, from the cuteness of their first meeting to the complexities of family drama and the horror-tinged rupture in midseason episodes.
By Episode 6, the narrative shifts to Oscar’s perspective, followed by Ana’s in Episode 7, offering a rich dual viewpoint of their journey. This shift in focus underscores the series’ depth, exploring themes of mortality, friendship, and personal growth.
Unique cinematography and narrative techniques
Filmed with a naturalistic style, the series reaches its zenith in Episode 10, which features a dazzling 40-minute single shot. This hallmark of Sorogoyen’s direction not only showcases his technical prowess but also heightens the emotional impact of the series finale.
The series’ originality doesn’t stop at its structure. Sorogoyen likens “The New Years” to a film rather than a traditional TV series. According to him, “TV allows us to make longer films,” drawing comparisons to “The Best of Youth“. This belief in cinema-like storytelling ensures that every minute of the series feels deliberate and impactful, capturing key moments without lingering unnecessarily.
Emotional resonance with modern sensibilities
Sorogoyen’s approach to character portrayal is particularly noteworthy. The male characters, Oscar and Guille, exhibit a blend of vulnerability and sensitivity, reflecting contemporary realities. This nuanced depiction resonates deeply, offering a refreshing perspective on modern masculinity.
Communication, or often its lack thereof, plays a pivotal role in the narrative. Sorogoyen highlights the perennial challenge of communication within relationships, attributing many conflicts to this fundamental issue. The series emphasizes how small moments of miscommunication can have deep, long-lasting effects on relationships.
Reflecting on life’s journey
“The New Years” ultimately transcends its initial premise of a couple’s story. Over its ten episodes, the narrative broadens to reflect on life itself, addressing the inevitabilities of growing older, losing loved ones, and finding one’s place in the world. Sorogoyen’s reflective statement, “The series begins about a couple, ends up about life,” encapsulates this expansive view.
As viewers, we are invited to question our paths, to ponder if we are merely drifting or actively seeking meaning and purpose. The series’ exploration of these existential questions ensures that it resonates on a deeply personal level.
A must-watch series
Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The New Years” is not just a series; it is a cinematic experience that challenges traditional television norms. By blending meticulous storytelling with profound thematic exploration, Sorogoyen offers a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging.
As “The New Years” premieres on Movistar Plus+ on November 28, it promises to be a riveting watch for anyone interested in powerful stories told through innovative structures. Keep an eye out for this series—it is poised to redefine what we can expect from television.
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