Moments Before the New Year 1985
In *Moments Before the New Year (1985)*, Quebecois director Robert Morin crafts an unflinching dark comedy that follows a man with a intellectual disability as he navigates a bleak New Year's Eve in his cramped rooming house.
Director: Robert Morin
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moments Before the New Year (1985) about?
The film centers on a man with intellectual disabilities and his landlord, who spend New Year's Eve trapped in a dingy rooming house. Their evening spirals between drunken camaraderie and a televised marathon of global catastrophes, culminating in a bitterly ironic celebration.
Who directed Moments Before the New Year?
Robert Morin directed this 1985 dark comedy, known for his sharp, socially conscious films that blend satire with raw emotional honesty.
Who stars in Moments Before the New Year?
The film stars Robert Gravel and Paul Savoie, whose performances anchor the film's unsettling blend of comedy and tragedy.
Is Moments Before the New Year (1985) worth watching?
As a short film with a runtime of just 23 minutes, *Moments Before the New Year* offers a uniquely bleak yet thought-provoking experience. Its stark themes and Morin's bold direction make it a cult curiosity for fans of offbeat, cerebral cinema.
How long is Moments Before the New Year?
The film has a runtime of 23 minutes.
About Moments Before the New Year (1985) — A Dark Comedy on New Year's Eve You Won't Forget
In *Moments Before the New Year (1985)*, Quebecois director Robert Morin crafts an unflinching dark comedy that follows a man with a intellectual disability as he navigates a bleak New Year's Eve in his cramped rooming house. Trapped in a cycle of isolation, his only companion is his weary landlord, as the two drown their sorrows in cheap drinks while a decade-spanning montage of global disasters flickers on an old television. The film's biting satire unfolds against the backdrop of trembling resolutions, where the promise of a fresh start is undercut by the relentless weight of history's tragedies. Morin's sharp, observational style transforms this short into a haunting reflection on human fragility and the absurdity of hope.
Stripped of sentimentality, *Moments Before the New Year* delivers its message with a mix of grim humor and quiet despair, leaving audiences to ponder the thin line between endurance and oblivion. The film's stark black-and-white aesthetic amplifies its themes, turning a simple New Year's countdown into a metaphor for our collective unease.