Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1970-08-06
- Born Place: Suhr, Aargau, Switzerland
Also Known As:
Petra Volpe
Petra Biondina Volpe
Petra Biondina Volpe (born August 6, 1970) is a highly acclaimed Swiss screenwriter and film director with dual Swiss and Italian citizenship. After studying art in Zurich and working as an AVID editor, she honed her craft at the HFF Konrad Wolf in Potsdam, focusing on drama and screenwriting. Since 2001, Volpe has worked as an independent filmmaker, gaining international recognition for her insightful and often socially conscious narratives.She is perhaps best known for directing "The Divine Order" (2017), a powerful film about the fight for women's suffrage in Switzerland, for which she won the Swiss Film Award for Best Screenplay. Volpe has also penned the screenplays for successful projects like the beloved film "Heidi" (2015) and the popular Swiss TV series "Frieden" (Labyrinth of Peace).Her recent work includes the critically praised 2025 film "Late Shift" (originally "Heldin"), a co-production between Switzerland and Germany, which premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. This film, a "declaration of love for the nursing profession," showcases Volpe's ability to craft tense and emotionally resonant stories, often focusing on the struggles and resilience of women in challenging environments. Her directing style often involves meticulous research and a strong emphasis on creating a physical and immersive experience for the audience, aiming for films that "get to you" and evoke a visceral response. Volpe currently lives and works between Berlin and New York, and is actively involved in projects in both Europe and the USA.
