Short Film

Slovakia / Romania, 2024, 15 min

Director: Erik Jasaň
Screenplay: Erik Jasaň
Camera: Tudor Mircea

Actors: Ela Lehotská, Oľga Solárová, Andrej Šoltés, Sandra Lasoková, Patrik Minár, Peter Oszlík, Alena Pajtinková

Professional Parent was created through a collaboration between Slovak and Romanian filmmakers, with ambitions to present Slovak cinema abroad. The short film by Košice-born director Erik Jasaň addresses a sensitive topic. It aims to highlight the moral boundaries of people who cross ethical norms for profit. At the same time, it brings a powerful story about the relationship between a mother and daughter—one that is universal and can appeal to an international audience. The film also involved successful co-producer Marian Crisan and award-winning cinematographer Tudor Mircea. It uses 12 shots over the course of 14 minutes.

The film depicts an emotional story of a single mother who is prepared to do anything to provide financially for her daughter. The main character, Ingrid, decides to take on the role of a professional parent for a young Roma girl. This is a job in which the state pays a guardian, known as a foster parent. However, this decision profoundly affects her fragile family relationships and exposes her to challenging moral dilemmas that significantly change her life. The film touches on current social issues: racism, the economic crisis, and the ethics of foster care.

The Košice region was also a key source of inspiration. Jasaň visited children’s homes and villages around Košice, gaining direct experience with the topic of professional parents. The social issues and life situations portrayed in the film are closely tied to real situations he observed.