The Professional Parent

Erik Jasan's The Professional Parent is a raw, affecting portrait of a single mother, Ingrid, living in an eastern Slovak village where poverty and prejudice run deep. To survive, she becomes the legal caregiver of a young Roma girl-an act that pulls her into a morally complex journey shaped by social stigma and personal struggle.

Screened at Cannes' Short Film Corner and selected by over 40 international festivals, the film is gaining well-deserved recognition. Erik's direction is unflinching yet deeply empathetic, highlighting the emotional and ethical weight of Ingrid's decisions without resorting to melodrama.

More than a story of survival, The Professional Parent is a powerful examination of the quiet battles faced by women when systems fail them. With universal themes and a rooted sense of place, it's a haunting, honest, and necessary film.