WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS
DRAMA | ICELANDIC | 80 MIN
When the light breaks on a long summer’s day in Iceland.
From one sunset to another, Una, a young art student encounters love, friendship, sorrow and beauty.
Cannes Un Certain Regard - Opening Film
DIRECTOR Rúnar Rúnarsson
CAST Elín Hall, Mikael Kaaber, Natla Njálsdottir
COUNTRIES OF PRODUCTION Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, France
“a beautifully crafted film… creates an emotionally
resonant experience that lingers long after the credits roll”
— Nordic Watchlist
★★★★
“Love, grief, the dewy fragility of youth…
all collide in this shimmering heart-breaker
— London Standard
“a stirring portrait of grief”
— The Hollywood Reporter
“sadness simmers beneath the surface in this
quietly affecting Icelandic drama”
— Sight & Sound
★★★★
“Tender close-up on young love, grief and
growing-up in Iceland”
— The Arts Desk
“There’s always a playfulness alongside the poeticism of Rúnarsson’s work”
— Screen Daily
AWARDS + FESTIVALS
Cannes Film Festival
Un Certain Regard- Opening Film
Karlovy Vary Film Festival
Official Selection
Munich Film Festival
Official Selection
New Horizons International Film Festival
Official Selection