We Are The Hollow Men

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.

In a sleepy provincial town, a Jehovah’s Witness community is under attack from an extremist group. In the midst of this conflict is Yana, the wife of the community leader, whose familiar world is slowly crumbling around her. Meanwhile, a detective intrudes on her home with devastating consequences.

The plot revolves around the residential complex "Venice", which cannot be completed for seven years. Twenty would-be owners gather in one of the apartments to start negotiations with a potential investor who wants to build a restaurant on the first floor of the building, but this space is already owned by the priest. Some of the tenants must donate their own area, so as not to anger God.

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.

In this Palme d'Or nominated minimalist drama, a seemingly calm family morning falls apart revealing hidden tensions.