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And a Happy New Year

dir. Sebastian Mulder, Netherlands 2023, 21 min., 10+

At the end of the year in the Netherlands, as in many other countries, millions of euros worth of fireworks explode with a loud bang, lighting up the night sky. For animals, this New Year’s celebration is a true nightmare. How does this visual and auditory spectacle appear from their perspective? Through the film’s approach, we witness the tension, stress, and fear of animals from the first bangs during the day to the deafening spectacle at midnight and hours later. No commentary is needed; the images and sounds speak for themselves, conveying a message that is loud and clear — even louder than the fireworks.

Topics: animals, human-animal relationships, responsibility, and the impact of the human world on the natural world