Swiss filmmaker Petra Volpe premiered her first English-language feature film, Frank & Louis, at the Locarno Film Festival, offering a reflective look at human relationships and caregiving inside an American correctional facility. According to RTS, the feature is scheduled for theatrical release in Swiss Romandy on January 6, 2027.
Origins of the Prison Caregiver Program
The concept for the film originated over a decade ago when co-screenwriter Esther Bernstorff informed Volpe about a real program operating in a California prison. In this program, select inmates known as “Gold Coats” due to their yellow vests care for fellow prisoners suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. According to RTS, Volpe visited the prison twice and interviewed participating “Gold Coats” to understand how the caregiving role impacted them.
The production utilized an international crew representing eight countries. Principal photography took place primarily inside a disused former prison in England, supplemented by additional shooting locations in Winterthour, Switzerland. The cast features Kingsley Ben-Adir and Rob Morgan in the lead roles.
Character Dynamics and Performances
According to a review by The Film Verdict, the narrative centers on Frank Baker, played by Ben-Adir, a young and athletic inmate who has already served 17 years. Frank agrees to become the primary caregiver for Louis Nelson, played by Morgan, a 60-year-old inmate suffering from cognitive decline. While Frank initially takes on the task to improve his chances at an upcoming parole hearing, the relationship evolves into a complex bond.
The Film Verdict notes that the production relies on a deliberate, slow pacing, contrasting with the rhythm of Volpe’s previous hospital drama, Late Shift. The supporting cast includes René Pérez Joglar as a warm-hearted Hispanic “Gold Coat” who reminds Frank that one day their minds will be empty of everything, “even hate”.
To ensure authenticity, Volpe collaborated with a man who was in a New York prison for ten years to refine prison dialogue. Additionally, the cast underwent specialized preparation alongside a dementia and Alzheimer’s specialist.
Challenging Traditional Depictions of Masculinity
Volpe designed the project to subvert conventional portrayals of masculinity within harsh institutional settings. In an interview with RTS, the director described the work as a feminist film about men, highlighting vulnerability, empathy, and compassion in an environment typically associated with violence.
“I think it’s very important to tell stories about men that are diverse,” Volpe told RTS, emphasizing the depiction of a tender, non-sexual physical relationship between two male inmates. The Film Verdict notes that the film is a study of how a serious crime scars the soul of the perpetrator as well as the victim, and how healing can take place through selfless service to another person.
Worth a look