EFF: The Volunteer

La voluntaria

Australian premiere

"A notable film that raises unwelcome questions and a groundbreaking feat for a restless and interesting auteur." – Espinof

Marisa, a recently retired Spanish doctor, decides to leave everything and travel to a refugee camp in Greece, where they seem to need volunteers exactly like her. Upon her arrival, she realises that the managers of the refugee camp deem it more important to comply with the rules than to actually help. When she bonds with an orphaned refugee child, Marisa’s sense of helplessness and frustration pushes her towards a reckless act, exploring the boundaries between the need to feel useful and genuine love.

Ripped from today's headlines, Nelly Reguera’s powerful drama explores with complexity and sensitivity the limits of compassion and the overwhelming sense of futility that can take over when you’re trying to change the world for the better. Driven by a powerful and empathetic performance by Carmen Machi, The Volunteer is a film for our times.

Nominated for Best Spanish Film at Málaga Spanish Film Festival

Rating

Unclassified 18+

Duration

99 min

Language

English, Spanish, Greek (English subtitles)

Director

Nely Reguera