Late Shift: Watch Peter Sarsgaard Interview Star Leonie Benesch and Writer-Director Petra Volpe About the Swiss Oscar Hopeful
Late Shift may be set in a Swiss hospital, but its story is, sadly, universal and timely. Switzerland pickedwriter-director Petra Volpe‘s latest feature, starring September 5andThe Teacher’s LoungeactressLeonie Beneschas a compassionate, but overworked nurse whose hectic shift turns into a race against time amid chronic staff shortages, as its submission for the 98th AcademyAwardsin the…
Late Shift may be set in a Swiss hospital, but its story is, sadly, universal and timely. Switzerland pickedwriter-director Petra Volpe‘s latest feature, starring September 5andThe Teacher’s LoungeactressLeonie Beneschas a compassionate, but overworked nurse whose hectic shift turns into a race against time amid chronic staff shortages, as its submission for the 98th AcademyAwardsin the bestinternationalfeature film category.
Putting a spotlight on nurses rather than doctors, the drama, which world premiered at Berlin, proved to be a Swiss box office hit, ranking in the country’s top 10 for weeks, and also sparked debate about the working conditions of health care workers. It has also drawn audiences in Germany and Austria.
Music Box Films acquired the North American distribution rights to Late Shift, with head of acquisitions Brian Andreotti saying: “No one needs to bone up on the intricacies of the Swiss health care system before seeing Late Shift because Petra’s movie is universal, a grounded thriller that’s readily relatable to anyone who spends their working day on their feet. Leonie’s outstanding central performance is a feat of stamina that drives home the dignity and strength of nurses everywhere.”
TrustNordisk has sold the film, produced by Reto Schaerli and Lukas Hobi for Zodiac Pictures, in co-production with MMC Zodiac, Swiss Radio and Television and SRG SSR, to more than 50 countries.
One of the Hollywood stars who has clearly been impressed by Late Shift is Peter Sarsgaard who has interviewed the creative duo of Volpe and Benesch, lauding the film as “a train that is already moving, and you just step onto, and it takes you straight to the end,” and adding: “There was no moment where I really even realized I was on the journey, which I just love in a film. It grabs you instantly.”
The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively premiere the video interview with Benesch and Volpe, conducted by Sarsgaard, below. He starts off by asking the director, whose 2017 film The Divine Order about women’s right to vote was also Switzerland’s international Oscar submission, about her interest in making movies that have something to say about the world we live in.
Check out what star Benesch and director Volpe share in the conversation about their work in general, and particularly Late Shift.
