Göteborg, Sweden – Paris-based film sales company, The Party Film Sales, has announced its involvement in Rúnar Rúnarsson’s latest project, “When the Light Breaks.” The film has been selected for Göteborg’s Nordic Film Market’s works in progress session. Known for his acclaimed coming-of-age stories set in Iceland, Rúnarsson gained international recognition with his Oscar-nominated short film, “Two Birds,” in 2008. Since then, he has continued to produce poetic films such as “Volcano” and “Sparrows,” both of which received critical acclaim. In his upcoming film, Rúnarsson draws from personal experiences of loss to tell a universal story about the complex emotions that arise when unexpectedly losing someone.
Rúnarsson shares his inspiration for the film, explaining, “Ever since experiencing the loss of a friend as a young man, I wanted to deal with the emotions I experienced the day it happened by telling a universal story. Another recent loss in my life re-awoke that urge, and the storyline became more concrete.” The filmmaker’s aim was to capture the narrow space between contradicting emotions that transpire in the aftermath of loss, where laughter transforms into tears and beauty coexists with sorrow.
The film centers around the character Una, played by Elín Hall, who was cast for her ability to embody both strength and tenderness. Rúnarsson wanted to portray Una’s emotions visually rather than through words, and he found that the rawness of 16mm film added a layer of texture that captured both the setting and Una’s turmoil and strength. The Party Film Sales’ co-head of sales, Samuel Blanc, and Estelle De Araujo, who previously worked on Rúnarsson’s film “Echo,” praised the director’s exploration of light and collective strength in difficult moments, describing the film as unique and remarkably tender.
Many industry professionals are impressed by Rúnarsson’s craftsmanship and the themes he tackles in his films. Mike Downey, the Croatian co-producer of “When the Light Breaks,” commends Rúnarsson’s dedication and humanistic approach to storytelling. Downey describes the film as an exploration of young people fighting their internal and external demons while navigating adulthood and the desperate need for connection.
The funding for “When the Light Breaks” received support from various organizations, including the Icelandic Film Centre, Eurimages, Creative Europe MEDIA, and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. Plans are underway for a summer 2024 release, according to Heather Millard of Compass Films, the film’s producer. In addition to “When the Light Breaks,” Millard will also present Erlingur Thoroddsen’s thriller “Cold” at Scandinavia’s biggest film market, the Göteborg market.