Blerta Basholli’s “Dua” Debuts at Cannes Critics’ Week
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- Dua premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week on May 13, marking its world debut.
- Blerta Basholli directed the film, following her Sundance‑winning debut “Hive” (2021) that earned the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award.
- Dua is a semi‑autobiographical coming‑of‑age story set in late‑1990s Kosovo during the war, focusing on 13‑year‑old protagonist Dua.
- Pinea Matoshi was cast as the lead after Basholli auditioned roughly 5,000 children in Prishtina, selecting her for her expressive eyes and quiet intensity.
- The film employs long takes and one‑shot scenes inspired by the Dardenne brothers’ “Rosetta”, Andrea Arnold’s “Fish Tank”, and Lucrecia Martel’s “La Niña Santa”, aiming for an immersive, natural atmosphere.
Why it matters: Kosovan cinema gains a high‑profile platform, potentially attracting investors and distributors, while audiences worldwide get a rare personal view of the 1990s Kosovo war through its Cannes debut.
