Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Long Ago

The excavation of iron ore at an open-pit mine has opened up a huge crater in the landscape of northern Sweden. Because the many years of mining are also causing the ground to slowly give way, the entire population of the small town of Malmberget is slated to be relocated – also to make room for an even larger open-pit mine. Only a very few residents, mostly elderly, are still here. From the windows of their empty homes, they watch backhoes demolish what’s left of this once vibrant community. The film accompanies these stoic remaining people with quiet, static images and a great deal of empathy. Faced with their dying town, they also reflect on the loss of loved ones and the transience of human existence on Earth. For nature, in the form of elk and rabbits, is gradually returning to the places that people have left.