Exploring the Healthcare Battlefield in Petra Volpe’s "Late Shift"
Petra Volpe’s latest film, "Late Shift," premieres as a Special Gala presentation at this year’s Berlin Film Festival. The gripping narrative takes audiences into the challenging environment of a Swiss hospital, revealing the harrowing experiences of a dedicated nurse as she navigates the demanding world of healthcare in near real-time.
Produced by Zodiac Pictures and Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), with global distribution managed by TrustNordisk, "Late Shift" marks a significant shift from Volpe’s prior work, the acclaimed suffrage comedy "The Divine Order," which represented Switzerland for the best international film category. This time, the director opts for a poignant and intense drama that faithfully reflects the daily struggles nurses face.
To authentically portray the high-stakes profession, Volpe engaged in extensive research, shadowing nurses on their rounds to grasp the pressures they endure. The inspiration for "Late Shift" emerged after being influenced by a nonfiction book by German nurse Madeline Calvelage, titled "Our Profession Is Not the Problem – It’s the Circumstances."
Reflecting on her motivations, Volpe shares, "Reading the book gave me heart palpitations, prompting me to focus on the narrative of one woman during a single shift." Her on-the-ground experiences revealed to her the mental and emotional toll of nursing, highlighting the remarkable capacity of these caregivers to extend compassion, even while facing immense stress.
Cinematographer Judith Kaufmann, known for her work on films like "Corsage" and "The Teachers’ Lounge," collaborates closely with Volpe, capturing the story through the lens of Floria, portrayed by the talented Leonie Benesch. Every scene is deliberately crafted to reflect Floria’s perspective, creating an immersive experience for the audience. Volpe emphasizes, "The screenplay is intricately detailed, reflecting every movement from Floria’s point of view, ensuring we remain close to her throughout."
To achieve authenticity, the production enlisted a nursing consultant to guide Benesch and the entire team, while Benesch herself undertook an internship at Liestal Cantonal Hospital to prepare for the role. "I sought an actress who could express both toughness and warmth—traits that Leonie embodied from the very first audition," Volpe notes.
With its intricate portrayal of the night shift, "Late Shift" promises to resonate with viewers, reminiscent of Gustav Möller’s "The Guilty." The film narrates Floria’s challenging night, balancing a heavy patient load amidst a colleague’s absence, all while managing the emotional strains that accumulate throughout her shift.
Volpe explains the balancing act during editing, highlighting the need to intersperse moments of breathlessness with quieter, more introspective scenes: "It was essential to convey enough about the patients’ stories to evoke emotion while keeping the narrative pace aligned with Floria’s hectic schedule."
Reto Schaerli, a producer involved with the project, underscores the longstanding partnership with Volpe, expressing immediate support when she pitched her take on the critical challenges facing healthcare workers.
Though set within a Swiss context, the themes in "Late Shift" resonate globally, addressing issues faced by nurses everywhere. Volpe describes her film as a "love letter to nurses," aiming to elevate the conversation around caregiving and highlight the urgent necessity for acknowledgment and reform within the healthcare system. She emphasizes, "With the nursing shortage representing a global health crisis, it is crucial to inspire dialogue and support for improved working conditions."
Providing an essential perspective often overlooked in cinema, "Late Shift" sheds light on the complex dynamics of nursing, contributing to the broader conversations about healthcare pressures worldwide.
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Petra Volpe Discusses ‘Late Shift,’ Screening at the Berlinale
