Second Victims, part of the 2025 Scandinavian Film Festival - 92 minutes

What happens if you are a doctor and make a questionable call? Not just any questionable call, but one that can mean the difference between life and death?

That is the conceit at the centre of a tense Scandinavian drama.

Alex (Ozlem Saglanmak) is a neurologist who works at a busy hospital.

The attending doctor in triage is ill.

So, on top of her regular duties, Alex takes the on-call pager for a few hours, which means she is about to be inundated with patients.

Also, under Alex’s watch is an intern, Emilie (Mathilde Arcel F.) – on her own for the first time – who lacks confidence.

Winnie (Pernille Hojmark), 59, has had a stroke, which Alex correctly diagnoses.

Later, Alex comes face to face with Winnie’s belligerent son, Anders (Morten Hee Andersen), who is worried sick about his mother.

Then, after being paged by Emilie, she meets Oliver (Jacob Spang Olsen) on his 18^th birthday.

His mother, Camilla (Trine Dyrholm), has brought him to hospital because he had a severe headache the day before.

Intern Emilie wants to scan him, but Alex examines Oliver and dismisses the idea, reassuringly sending him home with his mum.

The trouble is, he is about to suffer a brain haemorrhage, the consequences of which are catastrophic.

And the calls Alex makes thereafter leaves the head of neurology, Esben (Olaf Johannessen), fuming.

As the screws tighten, even the police are called.

Shot on location at Herlev Hospital in Denmark, Second Victims was inspired by a real-life psychological syndrome identified by the words in the title.

The reference is to the impact of an unanticipated traumatic event involving patient care.

I sat thinking about how life can change in an instant and leave behind scars that can never heal.

Watching the film is an emotional experience.

Fear, despair, stoicism and ploughing on despite everything are just some of the reactions captured.

Writer and director Zinnini Elkington has done a fine job tapping into the frenetic pace of the hospital and the split-second decisions that can change an outcome.

Production values in the film are strong throughout.

Ozlem Saglanmak navigates her roller coaster ride as Alex with fortitude and vulnerability. The look in her eyes speaks volumes.

In fact, overall, the cast is impressive, bringing authenticity to what unfolds.

There is a quiet dignity about Iman Meskini, who plays Aida, the nurse attending to Oliver, and potency about Olaf Johannessen’s representation as neurosurgery head.

It may not be a comfortable watch, but Second Victims leaves an indelible footprint.

With a running time of 92 minutes, it is playing as part of the Scandinavian Film Festival and scores an 8 out of 10.

For more information and booking times, go to https://scandinavianfilmfestival.com

The festival runs from 11^th July to 14^th August across Australia, with different dates in different states.