When the Light Breaks

Ljósbrot

TIFF65: Greek Premiere

A summer day in Iceland, from one sunset to the next, Una, a young art student comes across love, friendship, sadness, and beauty, all while struggling to keep a secret hidden. Five years after the exquisite Echo, Icelandic filmmaker Rúnar Rúnarsson returns with a visually impressive study on loss, grief, sorrow, accentuating the necessity of coming to terms with these feelings, and confirming once and for all he is amongst the most talented European filmmakers of our times. With an adagio rhythm, a poetic gaze, ethereal storytelling that seems to observe reality in the light of a dreamlike state, and an astonishing leading performance, When the Light Breaks inspires us to search for love and beauty even when plunged in the depths of sorrow; embodies an unwavering belief in the profoundly human ability to endure and carry on towards the light, even if the start has been scarred by darkness.

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Rúnar Rúnarsson

Cinematography: Sophia Olsson

Editing: Andri Steinn Guðjónsson

Sound: Ranko Paukovic

Music: Jóhann Jóhannsson

Actors: Elín Hall, Mikael Kaaber, Katla Njálsdóttir, Baldur Einarsson, Ágúst Wigum, Gunnar Hrafn Kristjánsson

Production: Compass Films, Halibut

Producers: Heather Millard, Rúnar Rúnarsson

Co-production: Revolver Amsterdam, MP Filmska Produkcija, Eaux Vives Productions, Jour2Fête

Co-producers: Raymond van der Kaaij, Igor A. Nola, Mike Downey, Xenia Maingot, Sarah Chazelle

Costumes: Helga Rós. V. Hannam

Executive producer: Claudia Hausfeld, Lilja Ósk Snorradóttir , Þórður Jónsson

Sets: Hulda Helgadóttir

Make Up: Evalotte Oosterop

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Iceland, The Netherlands, Croatia, France

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 80'

Distribution in Greece: Cinobo

Contact: The Party Film Sales

Awards/Distinctions: Best Film, FIPRESCI Prize – Motovun FF 2024, Youth Jury Prize – Cabourg RFF 2024, Best Director – Palić FF 2024

Rúnar Rúnarsson

Rúnar Rúnarsson’s feature career starts in 2011, when he presents his debut film Volcano at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. The film received 17 international awards in a vast number of festivals. His second feature Sparrows (2015) similarly garnered wide acclaim, winning 20 international awards, including La Concha Ora, the main prize at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Four years later, after being selected for the Cannes Atelier, his third feature film Echo premieres at the Locarno Film Festival, and went on to win six international awards. In addition to his feature films, Rúnar Rúnarsson has received critical acclaim for his shorts. The crossroads trilogy The Last Farm (Oscar nomination in 2006), 2 Birds (Cannes Official Selection and European Film Awards nomination in 2008) and Anna (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight) have received over 100 international awards.