Hide and seek
A Latvian mother's life in Sweden unravels after she is accused of abusing her young daughter.
Three months after moving to Sweden, Signija, her husband Gints and their two daughters are building a new life when a domestic misunderstanding brings Monika, a relentless social worker, into their lives.
What begins as an investigation escalates into psychological terror as cultural differences, language barriers and personal motives are used against the family. Accused of child abuse, Signija faces every parent's worst nightmare when a court orders her six-year-old daughter's removal.
With legal options exhausted, she must make an unthinkable choice to protect her child.
How far will a mother go when the law itself becomes a threat to her family?
Director's note
This story explores how we try to escape our problems, only to discover that they follow us wherever we go. It examines cultural differences, our resistance to unfamiliar values and laws and our inability to listen to one another in a world where work and money often take priority over human relationships.
Set in Sweden, where one in four people has an immigrant background, the film follows a Latvian family seeking a fresh start. Signija has fled the problems of her past, but her struggle to adapt to a different society draws her into an unexpected and devastating conflict.
The film's central symbol is the labyrinth – a place where one can hide, but from which not everyone escapes. Our protagonists become trapped in a maze of laws, misunderstandings and personal agendas, desperately searching for a way out.
Based on real events, my intention is to portray the conflict honestly, without assigning blame. Both sides have their own truth. At the heart of the story lie fear, resentment, failures of communication and a child's unconscious manipulation of adults, driven by a need for attention and emotional connection.
Sweden's distinctive landscape will shape the film's visual identity. Water, cliffs and rocks contrast with forests that closely resemble those of Latvia, reflecting the family's fragile sense of belonging in a place that feels both familiar and foreign.
The title, Hide and Seek, becomes a metaphor for hidden meanings: what remains unspoken, what we misinterpret and the fears and insecurities that shape our decisions.
Ultimately, the film questions how a system of laws designed to protect people can become a labyrinth of fear and helplessness. I want the audience to navigate this maze alongside the characters, discovering that truth is rarely absolute and that empathy begins when we question our own perspective.
Screenwriter's note
Hide and Seek is an emotional family drama inspired by real events experienced by a Latvian family in Sweden in late 2024. The story explores the fragile balance between parental rights, child protection and the responsibility of those entrusted with authority.
The film follows Signija (40) and Gints (40), who move to Sweden with their two daughters after losing their construction business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial difficulties and emotional exhaustion have forced them to start over, hoping to provide their children with a more stable future.
Their peaceful life is shattered when Monika (48), a Swedish social worker, questions the wellbeing of their youngest daughter, Elza (6). What begins as a routine investigation escalates into a psychological battle, as Monika's personal motivations influence her professional decisions. Cultural misunderstandings, language barriers and the parents' desperate attempts to defend themselves only deepen the conflict.
The screenplay explores how personal prejudice and institutional authority can become dangerously intertwined, turning ordinary people into fugitives. At its emotional centre is the mother-daughter relationship and the question of how far a parent will go to protect their child.
Biography
Dace Pūce is an award-winning Latvian film and theatre director, screenwriter, and producer. Her debut feature "The Pit" (2020) won several international festival awards and was Latvia’s submission for the Oscars. Her second feature, "Manny" (2020), earned her a European Cinematography Award for Best Director. She founded Marana Productions and Pūces Academy, combining filmmaking, theatre, and arts education.
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.
Biography
Co-owner of Münchhausen Productions and Münchhausen Films. Producer with more than 20 years of experience in the film industry and international projects.
Producer of Internationally awarded feature film “The Pit” (dir. Dace Puce, 2020) that won Grand Prix at Nordic Film Days Lübeck and family adventure film “Boom!” (dir. Marta Selecka and Andra Doršs, 2024).
Profile
Munchhausen Films is a Latvia-based film production company specialising in feature films and international co-productions. With a focus on creative collaboration and compelling storytelling, the company brings distinctive stories to global audiences.