© Compass Film
In Rúnar Rúnarsson’s latest film, “When the Light Breaks,” Una and Diddi, two young Icelandic art students and band members, are deeply in love. They find themselves lost in the mesmerizing dusk, their thoughts drifting away as they smoke joints together. They dream of traveling, ultimately choosing Japan as their destination. When the sun rises, Diddi will break up with his girlfriend, Klara, allowing him and Una to openly embrace their relationship. The future seems bright for the couple until their hopes are shattered by a tragic event.
Original Title: Ljósbrot
Director: Rúnar Rúnarsson
Year: 2024
Country: Iceland, Netherlands, Croatia, France
Runtime: 82 minutes
We are shown a hypnotic sequence of lampposts whizzing by, their lights captivating the viewer. This is just one example of how Runarsson, alongside cinematographer Sophia Olsson, creates a visually compelling experience with deliberate, slow camera movements. The ethereal quality of this scene is amplified by Johann Johannsen’s haunting vocoder-heavy track, “Odi et Amo,” which recurs throughout the film, underscoring key moments and the bond between the characters. The tranquility of the scene is shattered when a series of cars entering a tunnel suddenly immersed in a sea of flames. The dreamlike state abruptly ends, and Una awakens the next day to find herself at art school, where she learns about the accident. As the realization dawns that Diddi may have perished in the fire, Una, Diddi’s hidden lover, must navigate her grief while remaining a peripheral figure in the eyes of others. Her anguish intensifies with the arrival of Klara, Diddi’s girlfriend.
Rúnarsson uses Una’s character and her predicament to explore a communal approach to grief, highlighting its capacity to empower both personal and collective healing, as opposed to isolated mourning. Despite being part of a seemingly supportive art school community, Una initially retreats into isolation, grappling with her trauma alone. Her father, more preoccupied with her smoking habits than the tragedy she has to process, offers little solace. It is when Gunni, her friend and bandmate, reaches out for her support that she re-engages with her community. The theme of support is central to the film. When Klara arrives, Una feels overshadowed, as Klara is perceived as the focal point of Diddi’s life by the others. Klara’s disdain towards performance art and her differing background add to this tension. Although Una hints at her affair with Diddi, she refrains from fully disclosing it. However, in an extremely poignant turn, grief becomes a bridge, allowing for connection, the acceptance of differing realities, and opening up to new perspectives. In a beautifully shot scene that showcases the magic of -performance- art, Una introduces Klara to her world and the two grow closer, highlighting the film’s message about the necessity of collective support in the grieving process.
The film’s naturalistic approach is evident in Rúnarsson’s meticulous and focused pacing, capturing events from one sunrise to the next in a little over 80 minutes. The evocative Icelandic scenery, the sound of waves, and the sunsets all contribute to the film’s immersive atmosphere. The ensemble cast delivers authentic performances, with Elín Hall, portraying Una, in particular being a standout. Her effortless emotional transitions make her character’s internal tragedy profoundly affecting to watch.
Rúnarsson’s humanist vision is clear in “When the Light Breaks.” He emphasizes the importance of collective grief and the healing power of community. The film’s sensitive and intimate portrayal of human emotions is enhanced by close-ups that allow actors to convey profound feelings to the viewer. The very palpable focus on touch and its impact in moments of sadness and solace also underscores the warmth of community and the necessity of support in overcoming personal tragedies.
“When the Light Breaks” is a deeply moving exploration of love and tragedy. Rúnar Rúnarsson masterfully captures a moment of hope that is abruptly turned into an overwhelming feeling of loss. Through Una’s solitary grief and eventual reconnection with her community, Rúnarsson highlights the power of collective support in healing. The film provides a realistic and heartrending portrayal of love, trauma, and recovery.
“When the Light Breaks” premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it screened as the opening film of this edition’s Un Certain Regard selection
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