At a French hospital, Cora, a young psychiatrist, treats an agitated mute patient, who doesn't know her own identity. Thanks to her perseverance, the therapist is able to make headway with the enigmatic woman. But when the hospital director discovers that the woman's name is Loa and she is Icelandic, she sends her home to the volcanic island of Vestmannaeyjar without asking Cora's opinion. When Cora finds out, she leaves at once for Iceland in order to continue the treatment. But once there, a doctor named Einar tells her that Loa, despite her behavioral problems, doesn't need her help and is back with her family, having resumed her job at the local cannery. Cora decides to abandon the idea of helping Loa, who has become attached to her, but can't leave the island due to bad weather.