Samenvattingen(1)
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 Film Festival)
Recensie (2)
Icelandic teenagers and a tragic event that they did not anticipate. The modifier “intimate” takes on even greater significance here than is usual. The detailed depiction of the rising fear of losing a loved one and subsequently dealing with the resulting pain. The main character goes through that mostly in secret, without the understanding of those around her and thus all the more intensely. Though thin in terms of story, this small drama is sufficiently packed with emotions and psychology, and offers a nice, poetic ending. [Cannes FF]
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A Nordic indie film of the traditional cut. But very good. Rúnar Rúnarsson has made a film that can be all the more powerful the less you know about it. A tragic accident has occurred in Iceland, claiming the lives of several people, and now it's time to mourn. Young art student Una has also lost someone she cared about, but finds herself having to bear the heavy loss alone despite the fact that all her friends and comrades are suffering around her, she had something more in common with one of the victims, something that fate ended decisively. Rúnarsson is in no hurry to get anywhere, practically the whole film follows the protagonist in a situation that can't lead to anything good, it's just a question of how many people she can hurt in the end. We'll probably hear more about the expressive and charismatic Elín Hall in the future, plus the director relies on long takes during which Hall has to sell her emotions in a significant way several times, but usually only with her eyes, and it's extremely impressive. You know what's going on in her head, but no one around her does. Moreover, Rúnarsson shoots in a similar way to Paul Greengrass, so When the Light Breaks is a very intimate and personal film indeed, but one in which crucial things aren't or can't be talked about. And at the same time, you get the feeling that all the things under the lid are uncontrollably coming to the surface and will touch you too. A powerful drama that manages to be moving, sad, chilling and sensitive without imposing itself in any way. Formally, it's also pretty audience-friendly and for me personally, probably the most enjoyable film experience of this year's festival.
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