The film is loosely based on the Marcelo Rubens Paiva book of the same name. Originally published in 1982, it became an instant best-seller in Brazil and is considered, nowadays, an age-defining work. Paiva tells his autobiographical story in a light-hearted, frequently well-tempered way of writing. The story follows his accident which left him quadriplegic and is told through a series of memories and remembrances.
Director Roberto Gervitz first read the book in early 1980s, becoming immediately interested in adapting it to the big screen. Having had little experience in the fictional world - after a career in the documentary-making in the 1970s -, Gervitz admitted he had some difficulty in writing the script. The film was produced by Tatu Filmes, via producer Cláudio Kahns, and was released in 1987, becoming an immediate success both with the public and with the critics.
Actor Marcos Breda had little experience when he got the role and this was his first theatrical experience in the cinema. Actress Malu Mader was a well-known performer on television and this film was a milestone in her career.
The print had been circulating film festivals, exhibitions, screenings - both on the big and small screens - in very bad conditions, warping its original color palette, which was created by director Gervitz, cinematographer César Charlone and art director Clovis Bueno.
In 2018, "Happy Old Year" was digitally restored in 2K and was screened theatrically at the São Paulo International Film Festival. One year later the film was released on a special edition DVD by production company and distributor Sincronia Filmes - which produced all of the extra features in the disc, including an audio commentary by the director and interviews with Gervitz and the film's main actors.