Movies

In late 1990s Pristina, 13-year-old Dua struggles to fit into the expectations of womanhood amid Kosovo's rising tensions. She still looks like a child and feels pressure to like and kiss a boy to gain acceptance from her peers. As ethnic conflict intensifies, a shocking event forces her to confront her fears. Inspired by a bold new friend, she learns to empower herself while her brother considers joining the Kosovo Liberation Army. After a violent encounter with the authorities, Dua's family is pushed to the brink. With NATO's intervention on the horizon, she embarks on a journey to find safety, discovering inner strength and resilience along the way.

In her new film, Dua, Blerta Basholli — director of the first Kosovan film to make the Oscar shortlist, Hive (ZFF 2021) — blends coming-of-age horrors with an atmosphere of fear in Kosovo on the eve of war. The film premiered at the 65th Cannes Critics' Week, where it won the SACD Award.