When the Light Breaks: Rúnar (“Volcano”) Rúnarsson’s Tale of Youth Dealing with Loss and Grief (Opener, Certain Regard, Cannes Fest 2024)

Runar Runarsson’s When the Light Breaks (Ljósbrot) finds stirring ways to portray grief and untimely death.

It follows a group of young adults in the Icelandic city as they cope with the unexpected loss of their friend, Diddi.

The tale shows how they navigate the rough emotional terrain.

The film, which opened Un Certain Regard, marks the Icelandic director’s second time in Cannes.

Runarsson’s first feature, Volcano, debuted Directors’ Fortnight in 2011.