Care work is rarely visible. It takes place in the background, is performed mainly by women, underpaid and undervalued. “Between Us Work” is a cinematic journey through the landscape of care in Austria, reflecting on our perceptions of care and observing different forms of care.The film crew poses questions about the Austrian health care system and the ways in which we (o)fend for ourselves together. How are family caregivers doing? Under what conditions do 24-hour caregivers work? And how is inclusiveness practiced in Austrian care institutions?
In discussions with researchers, care workers and activists, it is becoming clear that practitioners have a lot to say to politicians about the social re-evaluation of care work, possible reforms and even the total collapse of the care system. The film gives voice to experts in the field of care and highlights the interdependencies we need to function as a society and live in a meaningful relationship with our social environment.The film was produced as part of the “Caring Communities for Future Open Innovation in Science Impact Lab,” funded and coordinated by the Open Innovation in Science Center at the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft.
Elaine Goldberg
Elaine Goldberg, born in 1996 in Munich, is a researcher and filmmaker. She studied Theatre Studies in Munich, Film Studies in France, and Science and Technology Studies at
the University of Vienna, where she worked as a research assistant from 2020 to 2023. Her focus is on the exploration of epistemic practices and spaces through audiovisual media. Since 2024, Elaine has been working in Vienna as a director of documentary films that are situated at the intersection of science and art.
Helen Vaaks
Helen Vaaks is a filmmaker based in Vienna, originally from Estonia. In 2023, she completed her Master’s degree in Audiovisual Ethnography at the University of Tallinn. During her Master’s studies, she attended the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School and the University of Vienna. She also completed an internship at the Vienna Visual Anthropology Lab. Her Master’s thesis focused on visual research on care in the relationship between humans and the environment. Since 2021, she has been working as a freelance filmmaker and social media manager.