When the Light Breaks (2024) ‘Cannes’ Movie Review: A Poignant Coming-Of-Age Drama that Explores Grief through the Eyes of Teenagers

Set in Iceland, “When the Light Breaks” (Original title: Ljósbrot) chronicles a coming-of-age tale that feels oddly universal. It follows Una, a teenager whose world starts to crumble after losing someone she loves. The film explores her emotional turmoil while following merely a day in her life. Still, it packs quite an emotional punch while keeping the film rooted in a generation that experiences emotions a little differently, be it angst, frustration, or acceptance.

As aforementioned, “When the Light Breaks” primarily follows Una’s (played by Elín Hall) emotional canvass. It offers a brief window into her bond with a boy her age. We see them share their hopes and dreams about the future and how they merge. It involves their interest in travel and exploration. While being project teammates for a performance art curriculum, they find comfort in openly sharing what they think and feel with each other.

Soon after, Una hears about a tragic incident that happened nearby. It brings back the memories of her past conversations and makes her doubt the loss of her loved one. While inspecting the said details, she goes through a rollercoaster of emotions. After all, this event is sudden and unexpected. Later, she grapples with grief. But it isn’t shown just as a wave of persistent sadness. She experiences sorrow, guilt, shame, jealousy, and frustration while coming to terms with her situation.

While mourning this person’s death, Una experiences a range of emotions that a person might need weeks or months to process. Rúnarsson uses a sunset-to-sunset set-up for his script exceptionally well. In his script, Una hangs out with her group of friends, who can’t bear the burden of this loss either. Then, there is an aspect of dealing with it as a group rather than an individual. In an already delicate emotional state, Una has a hard time with some unpleasant thoughts.

Writer-director Rúnar Rúnarsson carefully handles Una’s tricky emotional state without veering into a clichéd territory of melodramatic grief-comparing. It acknowledges its existence without letting the characters lose their grace or sense of empathy. The writing never takes a judgemental tone, even at some odd outbursts, and understands its place in a collective anguish. It understands the value of honest communication.

Within a relatively shorter period, these teenagers learn about growth, resilience, and letting go through a demanding experience. Rúnarsson deals with a script that has fewer situations but relatively more psychological subtext. Such a material won’t shine in less capable hands. Fortunately, Rúnarsson’s understated approach works in the film’s favor and offers it emotional warmth in a visibly colder atmosphere.

Cinematographer Sophia Olsson’s camera often lingers relatively closer to the characters, letting the performances shine and seem intimate as needed. It also understands clumsiness in a devastating psychological situation such as grief. So, the camera doesn’t remain forcefully bound to a specific method of shooting. Its fluidity offers a rawness much needed in a script that isn’t loaded with information. The performances do the talking, for the most part, without long-winding dialogues or monologues.

Rúnarsson and Olsson’s fruitful collaboration brings out the necessary sense of community while dealing with grief. Multiple instances of these characters embracing each other evoke the power of friendship within them. These friends get together and try to shed their misery with particularly energetic music. The direction makes it seem like a valid way of expression and lets it come across quite organically. That’s why it evolves into a tender moment between these hurt souls that an empty showcase of ‘joy begets sadness.’

The performances are exquisite across the cast. But Elín Hall and Katla Njálsdóttir emerge as the highlights. They help keep the film’s sense of mystery intact about a secret Una holds. Hall embodies Una’s intricate sense of suffering. Njálsdóttir becomes her unlikely companion through this poignant journey. Together, they make the presence of their loved one felt and heard.

When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot) is a part of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

When the Light Breaks (2024) Movie Links: IMDb, MUBI, Letterboxd
The Cast of When the Light Breaks (2024) Movie: Elín Hall, Katla Njálsdóttir, Mikael Kaaber, Ágúst Wigum, Baldur Einarsson, Gunnar Hrafn Kristjánsson