She is a happy, charming 50-year-old independent Icelandic woman and the respected local choir leader. But her buoyant personality masks a mysterious double life.

Known to the public only by her alias 'The Mountain Woman' - as she signs her petition - Halla is a passionate environmental activist, secretly waging a one-woman-war on the local aluminium industry and risking everything to conserve the pristine Icelandic Highlands she loves.

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Halla is the perfect environmental activist. In the main, she is barely noticed, let alone suspected of eco-terrorism with the possibility of being arrested.

"I'm not a criminal," she explains. "I am trying to stop crimes against us."

But as her actions grow bolder and her legend grows, an unexpected letter changes everything. Her long-forgotten application to adopt a child is suddenly approved and there is a little war-orphaned girl waiting for her in Ukraine.

Before she can fulfil her dream of becoming a mother, Halla plots an attack to deal the aluminium companies one final crippling blow.

Halla is now faced with a dilemma. She cannot care for a child if imprisoned due to her activism.

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Consequently, this down-to-earth clandestine eco-warrior is forced to reassess her ideas of motherhood and civic duty.

Halla's innermost strength comes from her quiet determination. She does not ask to be liked. Some will view her as a misguided idealist tilting at modern-day windmills. And others as heroic and fearless; selflessly committed to halting the ecological destruction of her pristine Icelandic wilderness.

Woman at War, is a visually stunning, taut environmental thriller, which will put a smile on your face due to the charismatic superhero at its centre. It is a heartwarming, intelligent, quirky, heroic tale set in our world of imminent threat - the tale of an unlikely David taking on the Goliath of industry, one electricity pylon at a time.

The soundtrack in this mischievous film is beguiling. A trio of musicians perform on screen to provide the lively score. Acting like a Greek chorus they offer an insight into Halla's mind and soul. The a capella trio of Ukrainian women in traditional folk costume sing to remind Halla of the little girl who waits. The power of this singing is palpable

Woman at War is a perfect mix of warmth, wit and wisdom. It is a movie that speaks to the heart and mind.

The final scenes are uplifting and director Benedikt Erlingsson expertly leaves the final interpretation up to us.

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