Hide and seek
A Latvian mother’s life in Sweden unravels after she is accused of abusing her young daughter.
Signija has lived in Sweden for two years with her husband Gints and their daughters, six-year-old Elza and nineteen-year-old Laura. After moving into a new home, the family looks forward to a fresh start, but their lives are shattered when social services launch an investigation and accuse Signija of physically and psychologically abusing Elza. As fear and uncertainty grow, the family faces the threat of losing their youngest daughter. Desperate to keep Elza with them, Signija and Gints secretly take her from school and flee to Latvia, setting off a tense cross-border pursuit.
Director's note
This is a story about how we often run from our problems, only to find that they follow us wherever we go. It explores cultural difference, intolerance toward the country we choose to live in, and the inability to truly listen to one another when work and financial security become priorities.
The film is set in Sweden, where a significant part of the population has an immigrant background. Signija has fled unresolved problems in Latvia, but her inability to accept another country’s laws and social order draws her into an escalating conflict.
The central visual metaphor is a labyrinth: a place of concealment, but also a trap. The characters enter a system from which there seems to be no way back, and escape depends on finding a path through fear, misunderstanding, and institutional rules. As the story is inspired by real events, the film will avoid blaming either side.
The acting style will be naturalistic and documentary-like, supported by long takes, close-ups, and restrained performances. Close-ups will capture micro-reactions and moments of inner decision, while wider shots will define emotional and spatial relationships.
Sound and music will remain minimal, shaped by silence, breathing, nature, and ambient space. Recurring visual and sonic motifs—trees, water, stones, gestures, walls—will function as memory anchors. The music will draw on the emotional minimalism of Max Richter, expressing fragility and vulnerability.
The audience becomes a co-author, discovering meaning through participation. In that process, empathy is created.
Biography
Dace Pūce is a Latvian film director from Riga. Her feature Bedre won the Grand Prix at four film festivals and was nominated for the Latvian Film Academy Award (2021), while Manny won the European Film Award, highlighting Latvia–India cooperation. Trained in UK and US masterclasses, she brings a patient, observant eye. “Wisdom, humor and meaningful storytelling. These are values that are important to me both as a film viewer and as a filmmaker,” says Dace.
Producer's note
Sweden’s child-protection system is built around the principle that the child’s welfare must come first. Children are encouraged to express their views from an early age, while schools, kindergartens, healthcare professionals, and members of the public are expected to report concerns when a child may be at risk. This framework plays an essential role in identifying abuse and supporting vulnerable families. At the same time, complex cases can become especially difficult when cultural differences, language barriers, incomplete information, or misunderstandings influence how a situation is interpreted.
Our film explores this sensitive territory through the experience of a Latvian family living in Sweden. It does not seek to accuse social services, parents, or any other party. Instead, it examines how fear, institutional procedures, family tensions, and conflicting perceptions can escalate into a crisis in which every side believes it is acting in the child’s best interests.
The project addresses themes that extend beyond Latvia and Sweden: migration, belonging, adaptation, parental responsibility, children’s rights, and the challenges of navigating unfamiliar legal and social systems. Similar tensions may arise in many European countries, particularly when families move without fully understanding local laws, customs, or expectations.
Our long-term goal is to create a compelling international feature film about family, trust, communication, and the consequences of decisions made under pressure. Planned as a European co-production, the project aims to reach audiences across borders and encourage thoughtful discussion rather than offer simple answers or assign blame.
Profile
Münchhausen Films Latvia is a Riga-based production company and part of the Münchhausen network operating across the Baltic region and Georgia. With over twelve years of international experience, the company develops and produces film and television projects while providing full production services for international partners.
Its work includes feature films, TV series, commercials, and music videos. Services cover local crews, locations, casting, budgeting, logistics, and support with Latvian film incentives. International credits include "Boundless", produced with Nordisk Film Production, as well as "Deadwind", "Lake Bodom", and "My Husband’s Wife".
Combining strong regional expertise with an international outlook, Münchhausen Films Latvia supports distinctive stories, creative partnerships, and ambitious productions for local and global audiences.