After recovering from tuberculosis, Mariam has a recurring nightmare about being kept high up in the mountains, in the middle of the forest, in an old palace where outcasts live. The building is majestic, but the inhabitants are outcasts from society. One day, Mariam goes to meet the secret community to overcome her fear.
In becoming friends with the tuberculosis patients of Abastumani, and in sharing joy and pain with them, Mariam finally overcomes her fear. But Abastumani shares a forgotten story that was never told, and the ghosts of the past reveal something much more sinister than Mariam’s personal nightmare — they expose the nightmare of a whole country.
Nik Voigt, a versatile filmmaker, began his career as a documentary photographer, where he spent many years mastering the art of weaving together characters, events, locations and subjects into works of beauty that are greater than the sum of their parts. Driven by his passion for visual storytelling, Nik decided to venture into producing documentary films.
Over the years, Nik has worn many hats, working as a cinematographer, director, and editor across a range of film and media fields before finally finding his calling in documentary filmmaking in 2016. Since then, he has amassed an impressive portfolio of nine DoP credits on documentary feature films, which have been shown on ARTE and screened at numerous European festivals.
Despite having experience directing commercials, corporate films and short films, Nik's true directorial debut for a feature documentary came in the form of Magic Mountain. The film is a testament to his creativity and talent, and it showcases his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects on screen.
Besides his work in the film industry, Nik is also a dedicated tutor who works tirelessly to help aspiring filmmakers understand the filmmaking process. He is committed to teaching them skills and helping them develop their ideas, ensuring that the next generation of filmmakers is equipped with the knowledge they need to succeed in the industry.
