In 1981 Vienna, Perla, an exiled artist and single mother, struggles to support her daughter, Julia, a talented young pianist. When Julia’s father, Andrej, claims to be seriously ill, Perla makes the dangerous journey back to communist Czechoslovakia, only to discover that he wants to force his way back into their lives. Pulled between past and present, Perla begins making reckless choices that jeopardise her future with her daughter.

“This powerfully acted psychological drama unfolds in a concentrated atmosphere, painting an oppressive portrait of inner turmoil in the shadow of totalitarian control – an impressive testimony to how the state can influence even the most private and emotional aspects of life.” (www.moviebreak.de)

Alexandra Makarová was born in Kosice/Slovakia in 1985. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, she moved to Vienna/Austria to live with her mother, who was a painter, and studied scriptwriting and directing at the Vienna Film College. In 2018, she launched her debut feature film CRUSH MY HEART, a drama about Roma begging in Vienna. Her latest feature film PERLA has been shown at numerous festivals and has won several awards. Currently, she lives and works as a filmmaker in Vienna.

Filmography: 2012 ANOTHER DAY, 2013 SOLA (both short films), 2018 CRUSH MY HEART, 2025 PERLA

Awards (selection): Audience Award, Costume Design Award, Production Design Prize (Diagonale – Festival des österreichischen Films, Graz/Austria 2025)

Nominated for the Amnesty International Wiesbaden Film Award for Best Film about Human Rights. A three-member expert jury will decide the winner of this competition.