Shot on location in Romania’s Jiu Valley, "Days of the Miners" traces the historical development of the region’s subterranean coal mining industry. The film closely examines the nature of the mining way of life and the difficulties faced by miners and their families from the mid-19^th century, through the period of communist domination, to today. The film particularly views the growth and decline of a cohesive mining culture, sparked by periodic violence and mass labor actions. Since 1997 about ¾ of the mining population has been laid off ushering in a period of unprecedented distress. The film explores mining families’ response to these conditions and their related attitudes to life, work, and death. It follows the miners through a variety of settings; in the mines, at a memorial service for recently deceased miners, and in their homes and apartments to show in detail the mining way of life and its uncertain future.