Switzerland chooses Petra Volpe's 'Late Shift' for the Oscars; Music Box secures North America distribution rights
In the world of cinema, two compelling films are making waves across Europe and beyond. Swiss director Petra Volpe, known for her acclaimed work 'Late Shift', is currently working on her English-language debut, Girl Beast, while 'Late Shift' continues to garner attention for its powerful storytelling.
'Late Shift', a film written and directed by Volpe, has topped 650,000 admissions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 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, follows a nurse on an understaffed hospital ward in a race against time. The film was released in Switzerland on February 27 and held the number one spot for four consecutive weeks.
Music Box Films has acquired the rights for 'Late Shift' in North America, and TrustNordisk, the sales agency, has confirmed sales to over 50 territories worldwide. The film has also been chosen as Switzerland's entry for the international feature award at the 2026 Oscars.
Leonie Benesch, a rising star in European cinema, stars in 'Late Shift'. Benesch, who has previously appeared in 'The Teachers' Lounge' and 'September 5', delivers a captivating performance in this high-stakes drama.
Meanwhile, Volpe is focusing her attention on her next project, Girl Beast. The film, currently in production on the Danish island of Funen, features a prominent Danish cast led by Trine Dyrholm. In Girl Beast, Dyrholm stars as Ane, a professor whose life is dramatically upended when she suffers a stroke at home. The stroke causes a blood clot in her brain, resulting in paralysis on the left side of her body.
Girl Beast appears to be Volpe's debut collaboration with a Danish cast. The film is receiving attention for its intense character study of coping with sudden disability and loss. The story explores Ane's emotional and physical struggle as she confronts the reality that she cannot return to her previous normalcy. Despite the devastating situation, Ane must gather strength and resilience to move forward, portrayed through Dyrholm's powerful and nuanced performance that captures the character's mounting frustration and determination.
While no detailed synopsis beyond Ane’s stroke and recovery struggle is currently available, the film seems to focus on themes of resilience, identity, and the challenges faced after serious health setbacks.
With both 'Late Shift' and Girl Beast, Volpe continues to demonstrate her unique storytelling abilities and her commitment to exploring complex and thought-provoking themes. As these films continue to make their way through the film festival circuit and into theatres, audiences can look forward to being moved and inspired by Volpe's powerful and poignant storytelling.
Late Shift, a thought-provoking movie, has been gaining attention for its powerful narrative and has topped 650,000 admissions in Europe. Meanwhile, Petra Volpe's upcoming film, Girl Beast, is making waves in the world of entertainment, offering a captivating character study centered around coping with sudden disability.
