1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
80 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
When the Light Breaks
2024 1h 20m IS
👍
6.7
SOLID
★6.7TMDB · 46
Drama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
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.
“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”
Cast
Elín Hall
Una
Mikael Kaaber
Gunni
Katla Njálsdóttir
Klara
Ágúst Örn B. Wigum
Bassi
Gunnar Hrafn Kristjánsdóttir
Siggi
Baldur Einarsson
Diddi
Daria Testoedova
Jane
Þorsteinn Bachmann
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Rúnar Rúnarsson
- Writers
- Rúnar Rúnarsson
- Languages
- Icelandic
- Countries
- Croatia, France, Iceland, Netherlands
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Released 2 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 4 countries: Croatia, France, Iceland, Netherlands.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson, shot by Sophia Olsson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Andri Steinn shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Elín Hall and Mikael Kaaber and Katla Njálsdóttir carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt27476906 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
Only 46 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Rúnar Rúnarsson directs. Sophia Olsson behind the camera. Andri Steinn cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Croatia, France, Iceland, Netherlands. Dialogue in Icelandic.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 180 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 2Released 2 years ago.
- 3International production across 4 countries: Croatia, France, Iceland, Netherlands.
- 4Directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson, shot by Sophia Olsson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 5Editor Andri Steinn shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 6Elín Hall and Mikael Kaaber and Katla Njálsdóttir carry the top of the cast.
- 7IMDB entry: tt27476906 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 8Only 46 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Sophia Olsson
- Editing
- Andri Steinn
- Production design
- Hulda Helgadóttir
- Costume design
- Helga Rós Hannam
- Makeup / hair
- Evalotte Oosterop
- VFX supervisor
- Jörundur Rafn Arnarson
- Sound
- Ranko Pauković
- Runtime
- 80 min · 1h 20m
- Aspect ratio (typical)
- 1.37:1 (Academy)
- Status
- Released
- Box office
- $208,039
- Original language
- IS
Awards
- Edda Award for Best Film
- Edda Award for Best Leading Actor or Actress
Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.
Also by
Rúnar Rúnarsson
Stills · wallpapers
Selected frames
Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
Compass Films
IS
- HA
Halibut
IS
Revolver Amsterdam
NL
MP Film Production
HR
Eaux-Vives Productions
FR
jour2fête
FR
Key crew
- Co-ProducerSarah Chazelle
- First Assistant DirectorWillem Quarles van Ufford
- Executive ProducerÞórdur Bragi Jónsson
- Co-ProducerIgor A. Nola
- Line ProducerThora Margretardottir
- Visual Effects SupervisorJörundur Rafn Arnarson
- ProducerHeather Millard
- ProducerRúnar Rúnarsson
- Executive ProducerLilja Ósk Snorradóttir
- Production DesignHulda Helgadóttir
- Second Assistant DirectorThelma Torfadottir
- Lighting TechnicianAndri Marinó Karlsson
- CastingVigfús Þormar Gunnarsson
- Costume DesignHelga Rós Hannam
- Makeup ArtistEvalotte Oosterop
- GafferReinout Bakker
- Steadicam OperatorTómas Marshall
- Co-ProducerXénia Maingot
- Sound DesignerRanko Pauković
- Co-ProducerRaymond van der Kaaij
- GripWillem Biemans
- Co-ProducerMike Downey
- Production ManagerGuðfinnur Ýmir
- Camera TraineeSindri Snær Sigurðsson
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- art student
- loss of a friend
- pansexual
- deep sadness
Release history · US
When it landed
- Digital2026-01-27
Also known as
International titles
- Když slunce vyhasneCZ
- Quando a Luz ArrebentaBR
