Documentarian Michele Josue’s Nurse Unseen is a profound exploration of the resilience, hard work, and dedication demonstrated by Filipino nurses during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is not just a historical account but a celebration of a culture and people often overlooked. Despite making up only 1% of the population, Filipinos contribute approximately 4% of the nursing workforce in the United States. The film delves into the question: How did these Filipino nurses endure the fifth-deadliest pandemic/epidemic in history?
The interviewees include Kym Villamer, Neil Ruiz, Miggy Sabalvaron, Shantell Pambuan, Tiffany Olega, Anthony Ocampo, Kevin Nadal, Allison Mayol, Nora Levid, Maricris Dinopol, and Meriden Angeles. That list is, at best, one-third of everyone who weighs in throughout the hour and 33-minute runtime. Naturally, the vast majority of the subjects are nurses, though some are family members of nurses or a family member who is also a nurse. Plus, Ninotchka Rosca — famed human rights activist and author — is on hand to give historical context for the Philippines government and labor practices there.

“…Filipino nurses during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Nurse Unseen skillfully navigates through a wide range of topics, from President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Immigration Act to the unique reasons why Filipinos were drawn to nursing. Despite the breadth of content, the movie maintains a brisk pace without feeling hurried. The interviews are given ample time, allowing each story to unfold naturally. This is particularly evident in Merlin Pambuan’s narrative, which is both harrowing and uplifting. The engaging storytelling, which keeps the audience captivated throughout, is a testament to the film’s entertainment value.
Josue judicially uses archive footage, old photos, and newsreels to set the stage for the coronavirus. The danger of the pandemic is well conveyed, as is how these nurses kept their sanity. It is all quite uplifting and jovial, all things considered. Nurse Unseen is a fantastic and engaging historical and relevant document. It is surprisingly light about a heavy subject.