Woman At War Selected For Cannes Critics Week

Woman at War (Kona fer í stríð), the second feature by Icelandic director Benedikt Erlingsson (Of Horses and Men), has been selected for the 57th La Semaine de la Critique sidebar (9 – 17 May) of the Cannes Film Festival, where it will receive its world premiere.

The film follows Halla (Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir), an independent woman in her late 40s, who declares war on the local aluminium industry. She resorts to sabotage and is willing to risk everything to protect the Icelandic highlands, until a Ukrainian orphan enters her life.

The official selection at Critics Week is rounded out by Chris the Swiss (Switzerland), Diamantino (Portugal), Egy Nap (Hungary), Fuga (Poland), Sauvage (France) and Sir (India).

The winner will be decided by a jury presided over by Norwegian director Joachim Trier who is joined by American actress Chloë Sevigny (Boys Don’t Cry), Argentinian actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart (120 Beats Per Minute), Eva Sangiorgi who directs the Vienna International Film Festival, and French culture journalist Augustin Trapenard.

Benedikt Erlingsson’s first feature, Of Horses and Men (Hross i oss), won the 2014 Nordic Council Film Prize and six Icelandic Edda Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.