Blerta Basholli's 'Dua' Premieres at Cannes Critics' Week
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Blerta Basholli's second feature film, 'Dua', had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week. The coming-of-age story, set in Kosovo during the late 1990s war, is a co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland, and France. It follows the critically acclaimed success of her debut film 'Hive', which won three major awards at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.
Facts First
- Premiered at Cannes Critics' Week, marking the world debut of Basholli's second feature.
- A coming-of-age story set in wartime Kosovo, inspired by the director's own childhood experiences.
- Stars Pinea Matoshi as the 13-year-old protagonist, discovered after a search of thousands of children in Prishtina.
- A co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland, and France, involving several European production companies.
- Follows the award-winning success of 'Hive', which won three top prizes at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
What Happened
Blerta Basholli’s second feature film, 'Dua', had its world premiere on May 13 during the Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week. The film is a coming-of-age story set in Prishtina, Kosovo, during the late 1990s war. It follows a 13-year-old Kosovar Albanian girl named Dua, played by Pinea Matoshi, who was discovered after Basholli and her team auditioned approximately 5,000 children. The film is a co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland, and France, produced by Ikonë Studio, Alva Film, Kazak Productions, ARTE France – Unité Cinéma, and RTS Radio Télévision Suisse.
Why this Matters to You
If you are interested in international cinema, this premiere may introduce you to a powerful new voice and a poignant story of resilience. The film's focus on a young girl's experience during conflict could offer a deeply human perspective on historical events. For film enthusiasts, the technical approach, featuring long, unbroken takes, might provide a distinctive and immersive viewing experience.
What's Next
Following its world premiere at Cannes, 'Dua' is likely to begin its festival run and seek distribution in international markets. The Party Film Sales handles world sales for the film, and Frenetic Films Distribution is already set to handle distribution in Switzerland. The film's reception at Cannes could influence its path to wider audiences and future award considerations.