access>CINEMA is releasing the moving Icelandic drama When The Light Breaks in Irish cinemas.
The film will screen exclusively in Light House Cinema Dublin from May 23rd.
It will then screen across the access>CINEMA network of arts centres and film clubs in the coming months, with full listings to follow.
Written and directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson, the film follows Una (Elín Hall) – a young art student – as she encounters love, friendship, sorrow and beauty in the aftermath of an unspeakable tragedy. The apparent death of a friend, Diddi, in a terrible road accident leaves Una and her other friends heartbroken. But Una is also keeping a secret that she is unable to share with those around her – she had been having a covert affair with Diddi. Una is further isolated following the arrival of Diddi’s girlfriend Klara (Katla Njálsdóttir), but both young women form an unlikely emotional bond as they grieve together.
Elegantly directed by Rúnarsson and featuring beautiful music by the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, this is a remarkable and deeply moving drama with extraordinary performances from its young Icelandic cast.
When The Light Breaks screens at Light House Cinema from May 23rd, with tickets available now.
REVIEWS
“★★★★ Composed of small gestures and unspoken truths, it’s a bonsai miniature of the vastness of overwhelming grief.” – Tara Brady, The Irish Times
“Rúnar Rúnarsson’s film squeezes the events of a single day, from sunset to sunset, into a compressed 82 minutes – one day that feels like the defining emotional drama of a lifetime.” – Jonathan Romney, Sight & Sound
“With minimal dialogue, Rúnarsson and his actors capture an honest, tactile soul connection.” – Guy Lodge, Variety
“Alongside its study of a singular kind of heartbreak, Runarsson’s film offers images that anyone who can relate to losing a loved one at a young age will find impossible to shake.” – Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter
“This puts the tear-stained faces of young Iceland to the light… Newcomer [Elin] Hall strikes a real presence.” – Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily
