A young woman with long auburn hair rests her chin on the shoulder of another young woman, who has shorter hair and wears a brown leather jacket. They both look off camera, gazing at something in the distance. We see a fence and green hedges behind them.

When The Light Breaks

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About When The Light Breaks

Told across one day with unbearable clarity, When the Light Breaks is the tender, closely-observed story of Una (Elín Hall) as she lives through the immediate aftermath of the death of her new love Diddi (Baldur Einarsson). Their relationship had shifted from close friendship into romance, too quickly for word to reach Diddi’s long-distance girlfriend Klara (Katla Njálsdóttir) who is now in town in the wake of his passing. Una’s mettle is tested as she faces the truth of an unbearable loss.

Capturing the incredible poignancy that comes with grief as well as soaring love (while never straying into melodrama), this Icelandic wonder makes stirring use of local landscapes. Yet it’s the minor details that accumulate and pack a punch. When the Light Breaks captures a day that changes everything, without offering any more answers than its characters’ experience.

Booking info

To book Accessible tickets and free Companion tickets, please visit our Accessible Bookings page. Companion tickets will initially show a standard ticket price, but once your account is set-up and you are logged in, this will be reduced to £0 at checkout.

Duration includes trailers, adverts and any Q&A/panel. For events such as NT Live, Colour Box and Reel & Meal there will be minimal advertising. We do not admit latecomers after the main feature has started and we have a limited food & drink policy.

MAC’s cinema programme has been generously supported by BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub Midlands.

Dates and times

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