Alfred Krauze: The Case of a Missing Parrot

A police detective investigates the mysterious disappearance of a world-famous parrot by reliving the same night through a series of guest stories — each wildly contradicting the next.

The story takes place in a seaside mansion where guests have gathered to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of world-famous parrot Alexander de Belpetit. When his owner died, he left all his wealth not to his beloved wife Ilze but to a green parrot. At the party, guests are eager to see Alexander — but he mysteriously disappears from his cage.

To solve the case, a 35-year-old detective arrives. His perfectly tailored suit and noble posture make the guests assume he is simply late for the party. Alfred begins interviewing the main suspects and reliving the night through their eyes. But with every new version of events, all the guests appear in a completely new light — not the one they tried to present in front of the detective. Now Alfred has to use all his attentiveness to detail and impeccable speaking skills to uncover the truth hidden beneath the lies.

The Case of a Missing Parrot is a fast-paced detective comedy with a Rashomon-style narrative. It is a satire of modern-day fame and the lengths people are willing to go for money.

Director's note

There’s always something magnetic about the unknown—especially when the audience leans in, trying to solve a mystery before the detective does. But in this story, the key question isn’t just “Who’s responsible?” It’s “Who’s telling the truth?”

Using a Rashomon-style narrative structure, we explore the same night through wildly different lenses—each character adding flair, ego, and exaggeration to their version of events. Visually, I want to shift point of view with each retelling: lighting, colour palette, costume choices, and even blocking will reflect the personality of the storyteller. People remember themselves a bit more glamorously—or heroically—than they probably were, and we’ll lean into that for comedy and character insight.

My background in animation influences how I approach visual storytelling. I plan to use stylised visual elements to highlight Alfred’s unique thinking process—like when he reconstructs the mansion’s layout and timelines in his mind. These animated or heightened sequences will help the audience follow his reasoning while keeping the tone playful and inventive.

The pacing will be sharp, with witty dialogue and a comedic rhythm. Tonally, the film is a modern mystery dressed in vintage flair: visually inspired by 1960s European cinema but set in contemporary times. Think bold colour blocking, eccentric fashion, and a timeless sense of style.

Music will play a central narrative role. Each character has a distinct instrument or musical theme that reflects their personality—flamboyant, nervous, secretive. As their stories unfold and clash, these themes will layer over each other, growing into a beautiful mess of sound. But when Alfred uncovers the missing truth, the music will come together—resolving into one coherent, satisfying theme.

This film is about truth, ego, and the chaos of memory—but at its heart, it’s a comedy that loves its characters and celebrates the joy of storytelling.

Producer's note

The Case of a Missing Parrot is a project born out of pure creative curiosity — what begins as a farce about a missing bird slowly unfolds into a sharp and stylish satire on fame, money, and human nature. The film playfully explores how every person tells their own version of “truth,” and how far people will go to protect their image when legacy is at stake.

We are currently at the early development stage, with a fully formed concept and narrative structure. As a producer, I’ve worked on numerous films and TV series in Latvia and abroad, often under challenging conditions. But what keeps me going — and what drew me to this idea — is the chance to tell something original, fun, and truly international.

Our goal is to bring this absurd, character-driven mystery to life through collaboration. We are actively seeking co-producers, distributors, post-production partners, and industry allies who share our love for clever storytelling with a twist.

The Script Pool is the perfect environment for this project. It offers us not only guidance and mentorship but also the vital opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals who can help us shape this film for a global audience.

We believe The Case of a Missing Parrot has the potential to become a festival darling and a market gem — visually rich, narratively bold, and refreshingly unpredictable. With the right team, we’re ready to turn this concept into a captivating experience on screen.