woman at war (2019)
original title: Kona fer í stríð
an entertaining ambush on climate change
Climate change is a hot topic at the moment and has been for some time. We’ve seen many documentaries successfully tackle the subject matter, however; we haven’t seen many films that really deal with the issue… until now. In steps Benedikt Erlingsson’s Woman at War, an off-beat, intelligent fable that deciphers what it really means to save the world.
Set against the backdrop of breathtaking Icelandic landscapes, Woman at War tells the story of Halla (Halldóra Geirharosdottir) a brave 50-year-old female vigilante who lives a double life as a choir director and eco-terrorist. We’re introduced to Halla in the opening scene as she attempts to take down some power lines using nothing but her bow-and-arrow. Why is she doing this? She wants to save her homeland from the Rio Tinto aluminum plant which she believes is poisoning her beautiful country. We soon learn that Halla will practically do anything to protect the highlands of Iceland however; things start to get a bit complicated with the unexpected arrival of a small orphan in her life.
Erlingsson has crafted an impressive comedy/drama about the effects of climate change. He has cleverly combined satire and oddity with drama and passion which generates a crowd-pleasing experience. It’s a clever film which knows when to be entertaining, when to be funny, and when to be serious about the message of global warming. Whilst all of these aspects are balanced well there are some moments that feel a little repetitive which does become quite tiresome. It also seems that there may have been a few too many arcs with not enough attention or resolution obtained between each.
The cinematography is gorgeous which, to be honest, shouldn’t be too hard when you have the stunning Icelandic Highlands as your backdrop. What’s even more impressive is the performance from Geirharosdottir, she single-handily carries this film to its impressive heights. Performing a tremendous double act as both the main character Hella and her sister, Asa, Geirharosdottir brings her A-game and it certainly shows. Her performance is as empowering as it is humorous and an absolute joy to watch.
Woman at War also features one of the most remarkable/bizarre stylistic choices for a soundtrack that I have ever seen in a film. There is literally an accompanying band plus a group of female singers that are characters in the background of a number of scenes providing the soundtrack. The majority of the time it plays to humorous effect, but it is also used as a clever way to change scenes and plot movement. An interesting stylistic choice that certainly pays off.
Woman at War is a brave film with a strong message and whilst it isn’t perfect it’s definitely a unique and enjoyable experience. In a time where remakes and sequels live at large, it’s refreshing to see such original thinking on the big screen, kudos to all involved.
★★★☆☆
20 APRIL 2019
