Blerta Basholli, whose directorial debut “Hive” won multiple awards at Sundance Film Festival in 2021, has completed her second feature film, “Dua.” The film debuted in May at Cannes’ Critics’ Week and subsequently screened at Sarajevo Film Festival this week.
Set during the late 1990s Kosovo conflict, “Dua” is a coming-of-age drama centered on a 13-year-old girl navigating the dual challenges of adolescence and ongoing warfare. The narrative follows the protagonist as she contends with daily violence and the prospect of forced displacement while managing the emotional and physical demands of young adulthood. Basholli describes the film as semi-autobiographical, drawing from her own experiences including witnessing civil unrest, following news coverage, participating in household discussions about the conflict, and ultimately leaving her homeland.
Basholli articulated her creative approach, noting the challenge of portraying a small nation’s complex history without excessive exposition. She opted instead to center the narrative on the protagonist’s personal journey. The film’s visual style emphasizes long takes with minimal stylistic flourishes, drawing inspiration from works by the Dardenne brothers, Andrea Arnold, and Lucrecia Martel. The lead role of Dua was cast after an extensive search involving approximately 5,000 children across Prishtina’s schools. Actress Pinea Matoshi was selected for her subtle, expressive performance style. The supporting cast includes Yllka Gashi, who starred in “Hive,” reprising her collaboration with the director.
Produced as a Kosovo-Switzerland-France co-production by multiple studios including Ikonë Studio and Alva Film, the project involves producers from three nations. Distribution arrangements include The Party Film Sales handling international sales and Frenetic Films Distribution managing Swiss distribution.
Basholli reflected on Kosovo’s societal evolution since the conflict, noting improvements in women’s representation in leadership and professional sectors, though acknowledging ongoing challenges regarding gender equality in daily life. She emphasized the film’s contemporary relevance amid current global conflicts and directed a message to adolescent girls in active conflict zones, encouraging resilience and self-worth regardless of circumstances.
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