On the sixth day of the Berlinale, numerous nurses made aware of the subject of nursing emergency at the “Heldin” film premiere.
When protesting on the red carpet the Berlinale The activist Franziska Böhler – author and herself a caregiver – spoke of the fact that “we see seeing eyes run into a catastrophe”.
She criticized that the nursing emergency in the current Bundestag election campaign was not discussed and has no priority – “and that is a certificate of poverty”.
The film “Heldin” (section “Berlinale Special Gala”) is about the nurse in the surgery of a Swiss hospital, which makes a fateful mistake during the stress of the work.
According to the Federal Employment Agency, almost two million people are currently working in nursing professions in Germany. In 2024, an average of 32,000 jobs for nursing staff remained vacant, a spokeswoman said.
“Emotionally drained at the end of the shoot”
Leading actress Leonie Benesch plays the caregiver Floria in “Heldin”. With the hashtag #wirsindfloria, the nursing staff emphasized how much they identify with the film character Floria.
“I think the topic is concerned with all of us because we are all potential patients,” said director Petra Volpe. The situation of the nursing staff is a global problem, emphasized Volpe. “Of course we hope that with this film we will mix something again.”
Benesch focused in preparation for her role as Floria, primarily on learning certain steps. For this, the 33-year-old had a medical consultant on the set by her side.
“Then I was a little surprised at how much I was emotionally drained at the end of the shoot,” said Benesch at a press conference. She underestimated that, she emphasized.
Berlinale as a stage for protest
Celebrities also used the red carpet of this year’s Berlinale for political protest. For example, the climate activist Luisa Neubauer announced at the opening gala with a provocative dress against Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz.
On her dress there was: “Donald & Elon & Alice & Friedrich?” On the back: “Democracy this in Daylight!” (“Democracy dies in daylight!”).
The actresses Meret Becker and Anna Thalbach held up a scarf with the inscription “Humanity for All” for civil sea rescue.