Memoir. Marcelo Rubens Paiva's lively memoir HAPPY OLD YEAR tells the story of a young man who suffered the dual tragedy of his father's 'disappearance' and apparent death at the hands of the Brazilian military, and his own permanent paralysis as the result of a subsequent diving accident. This inspiring, and sometimes humorous account, appeared in 1982 and was an immediate bestseller in Brazil. A prizewinning stage adaptation premiered in 1984 and ran for five years, touring internationally. HAPPY OLD YEAR was filmed in 1988 and swept most of the awards at the annual Gramado Festival of Brazilian Cinema.