We Need to Talk About Sundance #5: Georgia Bernstein on caregiving and obsession in 'Night Nurse'

Writer-director Georgia Bernstein joins us to discuss 'Night Nurse,' her feature directorial debut that premiered in the NEXT section at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Georgia traces the birth of the film's idea and how she ventured into the realm of psycho-sexual thrillers while maintaining its foundation in elderly care and caregiving, creating an unsettling blend of intimacy and menace.

Our conversation explores Georgia's long-spanning friendship and collaboration with actress Cemre Paksoy, revealing how their creative partnership shaped the film's central performance. We delve into the opening shot and its crucial role in setting the tone, discussing how those first moments establish the film's psychological terrain and prepare audiences for what's to come.

Georgia also reflects on her relationship with intention and the audience, sharing her approach to balancing control and release as a filmmaker. She discusses the deliberate choices that guide viewers through the film's unsettling narrative while leaving room for their own interpretations and emotional responses.