“Heldin” (“on the front line”) by Petra Volpe is the official film with which Switzerland hopes to compete for the prize for the best international film at the Oscars, announced the Federal Office of Culture (OFC) on Tuesday. The film pays tribute to nursing staff.
The jury motivated his choice by explaining that “Heldin” was a captivating drama from start to finish and that Petra Volpe was able to place his heroine at the “heart of his story”.
Presented as a world premiere at the Berlinale, the film follows the daily life of a nurse crushed by the relentless rhythm of a sub-employed hospital service. With this new film close to the documentary released on June 11, the filmmaker proclaims her love of nurses, but also her anger at their working conditions.
>> Reread: Petra Volpe claims his love and admiration of nurses in “On the front line”
Petra Volpe’s film was preferred to that of the Vaudois Lionel Baier (“La Cache”) and that of Ticino Denise Fernandes (“Hanami”).
Final selection in December
However, it will be necessary to wait for the publication of the final selection of appointments in December to find out if the film “Heldin” will be retained in the limited circle of the films candidates for an Oscar, wrote the OFC in its press release.
The 98th Oscar ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles.