A WHITE, WHITE DAY (2019)

A White, White Day (Hvítur, Hvítur Dagur) is an Icelandic psychological drama film released in 2019, written and directed by Hlynur Pálmason. It is a slow-burning, atmospheric story about grief, love, and obsession, set against the stark, haunting beauty of rural Iceland. The film was Iceland’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

Plot Summary:
The film follows Ingimundur (Ingvar E. Sigurðsson), a middle-aged police chief living in a remote Icelandic town. Two years earlier, his wife died in a tragic car accident on a foggy day, and Ingimundur is still struggling with his grief. He spends his days renovating a house for his daughter and granddaughter, while attending therapy sessions to cope with the loss.

While sorting through his late wife’s belongings, Ingimundur discovers a possible link between her and another man. This discovery plants a seed of suspicion that gradually grows into obsession. Driven by a mix of sorrow, anger, and betrayal, he begins to investigate, using his police skills to uncover the truth about her potential affair.

As Ingimundur digs deeper, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and destructive, blurring the lines between his personal grief and professional ethics. His fixation threatens his relationships, particularly with his beloved granddaughter, who is one of the few remaining sources of joy in his life.

The story builds toward a tense confrontation between Ingimundur and the man he suspects of being involved with his wife, forcing him to face the raw pain of loss and the ambiguity of love, memory, and forgiveness.

Themes:

• The corrosive effects of grief and unresolved emotions

• Obsession and the human need for closure

• The thin line between love and anger

• The contrast between Iceland’s serene landscapes and emotional turmoil

Cast:

• Ingvar E. Sigurðsson as Ingimundur

• Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir as Salka (granddaughter)

• Hilmir Snær Guðnason as Olgeir

• Sara Dögg Ásgeirsdóttir as Ingimundur’s wife (in memories)

Style and Tone:
The film is known for its minimalistic storytelling, deliberate pacing, and stunning cinematography that captures Iceland’s foggy, snow-covered landscapes. The title refers to a local belief that when everything is white and you can’t distinguish the sky from the ground, the dead can talk to the living.

Reception:
A White, White Day received critical acclaim at international film festivals, with particular praise for Ingvar E. Sigurðsson’s deeply nuanced performance. It won the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award at the 2019 Cannes Critics’ Week and was recognized for its poetic, haunting approach to storytelling.

Conclusion:
Meditative, tense, and visually arresting, A White, White Day is a powerful exploration of grief and the quiet storms it stirs within the human heart. It is a character study that lingers long after the credits roll, offering more questions than answers about love, memory, and truth.