Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart
A woman crowned by loneliness searches for magical life spells, while nothing is irreparable.
When you think positively, the universe responds. This gentle, feel-good coming-of-age dramedy for 30-somethings follows Liv, a passionate woman struggling with body insecurities. She carries her past lightly and never judges others. She loves water flowers and has a soft spot for poodles, despite never having owned a dog. Once, Liv dreamed of being a Barbie and still hopes her loving, somewhat old-fashioned husband finds her irresistible, even if their kisses are few and far between.
Everything changes when Liv receives a sudden call: her estranged father is in a coma and undergoing intensive therapy. Her awkward, cynical mother remains stuck in the past with rigid rules and sees the stroke as a random attempt to escape. Liv wants to speak to her father, but each visit leaves her lost in the maze-like corridors of the brutalist hospital.
Director Alise Zariņa brings a tender, ironic touch to her personal script, weaving in flashbacks to Liv’s childhood in another era. As a child, Liv longed for a Barbie but never had one. Now, her daughter has discovered Barbie’s secret: when thrown to the ground, nothing bad happens to the doll.
Edvinas Pukšta

Alise Zariņa is a Latvian writer-director who studied film at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School of Tallinn University (BFM), graduating in 201. She later obtained a Master’s degree from the National Film School of Latvia in 2021. Her first feature film, “Nearby” (2019), won the National Film Award for Best Screenwriting (shared with Marta Elīna Martinsone) and her documentary short “II Lines” (2020) won the Best National Short film at Riga International Film Festival. Beyond filmmaking, Alise Zariņa writes about social issues and is publicly known for her feminism and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2021, she was awarded the Latvian PEN award for promoting freedom of expression.
Filmography:
Blakus (2019), Nospiedumi (Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart, 2025)
Award for Best Baltic Film, grant of 5000€ from Piletilevi



