The opening of Altiplano takes place in Iraq in a devastating scene which results in photographer Grace (Iranian actress Jasmin Tabatabai) forsaking her profession.  Grace’s husband Max (Belgium actor Olivier Gourmet) is a cataract surgeon who is working in an eye clinic in the Andes Mountains of Peru in the town of Turubamba.  They keep in touch with each other through videos.

A mystifying illness has caused many people in Turubamba to become ill and die.  A local mine in the town has caused a mercury spill and the people are entranced by the shiny silver stuff they find on the ground.  The children pick it up and play with it; villagers use it for decorative purposes.  Ignorant of what the shiny silver really is, the people are unaware that the mercury poison is the culprit that is causing the tribulations in their town

Saturnina (Peruvian actress Magaly Solier) is a beautiful village girl scheduled to marry Ignacio (Edgar Quispe).  But before the wedding takes place, Ignacio becomes ill and dies.  Saturnina is overcome with grief and unable to cope with her loss.  When the villagers believe that the doctors in the clinic are responsible for what is happening in their town, they attack them and Max is murdered.  Grace travels to Turubama in order to seek closure for her loss.  The film contrasts the way in which each woman faces her tragedy.

Written and directed by Peter Brosens and Jessica Woodworth, the film moves slowly, but the storyline helps to maintain its interest.  The stunning scenes shot by Fracisco Gozon of the mountains, the snow and the area in general are an added plus to the film.

Altiplano was filmed in Peru and Belgium, in Spanish, Quechua, English, French, and Persian with English subtitles.