Office of Film Architecture

Up to 50 percent of the world’s manganese, a vital metal across the globe, used to be mined in Chiatura, in western Georgia. Today, it resembles an apocalyptic ghost town. Mzis qalaqi portrays a few of the remaining inhabitants. Music teacher Zurab dismantles ramshackle concrete buildings and sells the iron girders to make some money on the side. Archil still works in the mine but his real passion is the local amateur theatre group. Despite being malnourished, two young female athletes still train stoically for the next Olympic Games.

After years of absence and failure, a prodigal son is compelled to return and live with his elderly father. The two men, who are struggling with their conflicting emotions, are forced to deal with their memories, dreams, and fears in a world without the woman who once brought them together.