Directed by: Horațiu Carpiuc
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre & tags: Drama, Youth, Women, Family, Relationships, European, Mediterranean, East Europe
Year: 2026
Running time: 19:59
Country: Romania
Original title: Frunză

Logline

A single father’s surprise for his 14-year-old daughter turns into a tense confrontation when he discovers her with an older boy, forcing them to confront their bond.

Synopsis

A single father comes home from work earlier than usual to prepare a surprise for his 14-year-old daughter, Mira. Instead, he finds her skipping school with an 18-year-old boy, just after what seems to have been a sexual encounter. The boy leaves, visibly intimidated, and what follows is a tense confrontation between Mira and her father—one that ultimately leads both them to grow and rediscover their bond.

Director’s Statement

Frunză (Leaf) encourages communication, rational debate, and the willingness to embrace new ideas and perspectives — ones that may differ from the realities we are accustomed to.
I wish I could say that my motivation was to explore the theme of coming of age, which is a challenge faced by both characters. On one hand, there is the impulsive, naturally rebellious nature of the daughter, shaped by her age and on the other hand, there is the father, who is struggling with the fear of a third possible abandonment. Beyond reconnecting with his daughter, the father ultimately gains a deeper understanding — that sooner or later, every child must choose their own path. That is his own personal growth.
I could also say that I wanted to portray what healthy communication should look like, or to reflect an education rooted in culture and values, or even to shed light on the reality of domestic violence in Romania — an issue that remains widespread. The truth is, Leaf is my message in a bottle, cast into the ocean of time, addressed to my own daughter. A reminder that every conversation left unspoken shapes who we become.