European Cinema Night: When The Light Breaks

CLUB 18+82 min

Synopsis

We are celebrating European Cinema Night with a free preview screening of WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS the new film from acclaimed Icelandic director Rúnar Rúnarsson.

A poignant new drama about a young woman whose conscience and resilience is tested over the course of a long summer’s day when she’s confronted by unexpected and life-changing events.

Sunset to sunset: just 24 hours are enough to turn the life of twenty-something arts student Una (a remarkable Elín Hall) completely upside down. And not just hers. Reykjavík has awakened to news of a terrible road accident, with Una’s boyfriend and fellow classmate Diddi (Baldur Einarsson) likely among the injured. But because of a secret she has been keeping from her friends, Una finds herself unable to express her true feelings like they can; She must navigate through her swirling emotions, and how she fits in, in her own way...

Luminously shot on 16mm film by award-winning cinematographer Sophia Olsson (The Crown) and featuring music from the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, Rúnarsson’s personal and moving film – rapturously received at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival - finds grace notes of fleeting beauty as it explores the ripple effect of grief. Precise, tender and emotionally complex, WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS is deeply rewarding viewing.

Thanks to access CINEMA for facilitating this screening.