Leonie Benesch Shines in Petra Volpe’s ‘Late Shift,’ a High-Pressure Hospital Drama at the Berlinale

by

Petra Volpe’s “Late Shift” (showing at this year’s Special Gala in Berlin) delves into the fast-paced environment of a short-staffed Swiss hospital. The story largely follows the perspective of a diligent nurse, unfolding almost as it happens in real life.

Made by Zodiac Pictures and Swiss Radio and Television SRF, with global distribution managed by TrustNordisk, this new film represents a shift from Petra Volpe’s celebrated suffrage comedy “The Divine Order,” which was Switzerland’s entry for best international film. In contrast to that work, Volpe’s latest offering presents a tense, compassionate drama that vividly portrays the challenging circumstances faced by nurses.

Before creating her movie, the filmmaker delved deeply into research, joining hospital shifts with nurses to grasp their day-to-day challenges. The concept for “Late Shift” was inspired by German nurse Madeline Calvelage’s nonfiction book, “Our Profession Is Not the Problem – It’s the Circumstances,” which sparked her idea.

Reading it set my heart racing, and it ignited the idea for me to narrate a single woman’s tale across a solitary shift,” Volpe shares with EbMaster. “Subsequently, when I joined nurses in hospitals, I observed their jobs up close and was struck by the tremendous mental and physical strain they endure. What truly touched me was that despite being under immense pressure, they continued to display genuine empathy and warmth towards their patients.

The camera often gets very near to the character Floria, who is played by Leonie Benesch.

Volpe clarifies that every moment in the script is told solely from the viewpoint of Floria, providing intricate details about her actions. Collaborating with their Director of Photography, Judith Kaufmann, they opted against traditional filming techniques and instead chose to maintain a consistent focus on Floria, who is almost always active. The majority of scenes depict nursing tasks as Floria engages in conversations with patients or their families simultaneously. Coordinating dialogue with action and establishing the ideal pace for each scene proved to be a considerable challenge.

To maintain authenticity, a nurse consultant was on set, guiding Benesch and helping out with every department. Before taking on the role, Benesch gained practical experience through an internship at Liestal Cantonal Hospital. Volpe, the director, expressed his desire for an actress who could portray both pragmatism and resilience, someone capable of remaining emotionally detached while still preserving her inner warmth and depth. From the initial audition, it was clear that Leonie had all these qualities in abundance for the role.

This movie serves as a perfect platform for any actor; it’s reminiscent of Gustav Möller’s “The Guilty,” a type of thought-provoking, high-stakes drama that has all the makings of captivating a Hollywood production company looking to produce a remake.

The movie follows a single evening where Floria grapples with an excessive workload of patients, a vanished team member, and the dilemma of being essential in multiple places. Occasionally, she must also step aside for a moment’s rest.

In Volpe’s explanation, he notes that the pauses were already included in the script, but it wasn’t until editing and working with the music score that the ideal blend of intense, breathless sequences and calmer, more emotional scenes was discovered. He also mentions that finding the right balance to share enough about the patients’ stories to evoke strong emotions while still advancing Floria’s narrative proved to be a unique challenge. In essence, this approach helps the audience viscerally understand Floria’s predicament.

Reto Schaerli, a producer at Zodiac Pictures, teamed up with his long-term partner Lukas Hobi to create this project. For more than ten years, they’ve collaborated extensively with Petra in various roles, including writing and directing. The issues surrounding care work have been an ongoing concern for both of them, and when Petra shared her unique perspective on the subject, their interest was instantly piqued.

Despite being based in a Swiss hospital, these issues pervade healthcare systems worldwide. ‘Late Shift’ is an ode to the tireless work of nurses and the act of caregiving, and I aspire that our film resonates with nurses, making them feel recognized, honored, and valued. The nursing shortage is a global health emergency, and our movie offers a tangible depiction of this crisis in human terms. Regrettably, there’s insufficient discussion or public awareness about this matter in politics or among the general populace. However, we are all potential patients, which underscores the importance of advocating for nurses and championing their efforts to improve working conditions.

Providing a rare look at a largely unseen cinematic realm, the movie ‘Late Shift’ addresses ongoing global discussions about nursing scarcity and healthcare strain.

Read More

2025-02-17 16:46