Zinnini Elkington’s debut feature, titled Second Victims, is now in the works. Shot on location at Herlev Hospital in Denmark and inspired by the titular psychological syndrome, which can affect healthcare staff after a traumatic event involving patient care, the picture has been boarded by Danish sales agent REInvent International Sales. The announcement was first reported by Variety.

Second Victims is set against the backdrop of an understaffed stroke unit. It follows skilled neurologist Alexandra, whose unwavering confidence is put to the ultimate test when a routine case spirals into tragedy. Blame and guilt ripple through the hospital, pushing Alexandra to confront her own fallibility and the profound repercussions of medical errors.

The project, now in post-production, stars Scandinavian thesps Özlem Saglanmak (Borgen) and Trine Dyrholm (In a Better World [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Gustav Lindh
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“This impressive and intense feature debut by Zinnini Elkington deals with the psychological consequences for a team of doctors and nurses after a traumatic event in the healthcare system. We are very proud to represent the film internationally, and we are convinced that the movie will resonate with buyers and festivals alike,” commented Rikke Ennis, CEO at REinvent International Sales.

Elkington labelled her film as “a call for empathy. […] I want to challenge the prevailing narrative about medical misjudgements while also exploring timeless human dilemmas. When our ideals conflict with reality, it’s always the authentic individual who suffers the consequences,” she added.

Second Victims is being produced by Johannes Rothaus Nørregaard for Copenhagen-based firm Meta Film, with backing from the New Danish Screen scheme of the Danish Film Institute, and the European Union’s Creative Europe – MEDIA programme. SF Studios will release it in the Nordic countries.