Leo grew up without a father. Angry and alone, she boards a train in Germany and travels to
Northern Italy in search of her biological dad. She finds him – Paolo – in a deserted beach café,
caring for a new family but unsettled by the return of his past. Their encounter is filled with
questions, conflicts, and longing. Though they have never met and speak different languages,
father and daughter slowly come to realize they are more alike than they ever imagined.
Alissa Jung
The director began acting in theater and radio plays as a child, and at sixteen was discovered and
went on to pursue a successful acting career. She has created short films, documentaries, and
children’s productions. After completing medical studies, she worked as a pediatrician before
returning to cinema in 2020. Her short film Fara won the Golden Sparrow Award. Paternal
Leave is her feature debut, presented at the Berlinale.
Leo grew up without a father. Angry and alone, she boards a train in Germany and travels to
Northern Italy in search of her biological dad. She finds him – Paolo – in a deserted beach café,
caring for a new family but unsettled by the return of his past. Their encounter is filled with
questions, conflicts, and longing. Though they have never met and speak different languages,
father and daughter slowly come to realize they are more alike than they ever imagined.
Alissa Jung
The director began acting in theater and radio plays as a child, and at sixteen was discovered and
went on to pursue a successful acting career. She has created short films, documentaries, and
children’s productions. After completing medical studies, she worked as a pediatrician before
returning to cinema in 2020. Her short film Fara won the Golden Sparrow Award. Paternal
Leave is her feature debut, presented at the Berlinale.
Northern Italy in search of her biological dad. She finds him – Paolo – in a deserted beach café,
caring for a new family but unsettled by the return of his past. Their encounter is filled with
questions, conflicts, and longing. Though they have never met and speak different languages,
father and daughter slowly come to realize they are more alike than they ever imagined.
Alissa Jung
The director began acting in theater and radio plays as a child, and at sixteen was discovered and
went on to pursue a successful acting career. She has created short films, documentaries, and
children’s productions. After completing medical studies, she worked as a pediatrician before
returning to cinema in 2020. Her short film Fara won the Golden Sparrow Award. Paternal
Leave is her feature debut, presented at the Berlinale.