Sundance Prizewinner Blerta Basholli on Kosovar War Drama ‘Dua’: ‘Teenagers Growing Up in Conflict Zones Are No Different From Any of Us’

**Unflinching Portrayal of War and Coming-of-Age in Kosovo: Sundance Prize-Winner Blerta Basholli's Dua**

Blerta Basholli's latest film, Dua, is a poignant and unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by a young girl growing up in war-torn Kosovo in the late 1990s. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Critics' Week, has been making waves with its raw and unromanticized depiction of life under siege. At its core, Dua is a coming-of-age story about a 13-year-old girl navigating the treacherous landscape of war and adolescence, but it is also a powerful exploration of the human spirit and its capacity for resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Background & Context

Blerta Basholli is a Kosovar filmmaker known for her nuanced and deeply personal approach to storytelling. Her debut film, Hive, won the Grand Jury Prize, the Directing Award, and the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021. With Dua, she continues to push the boundaries of what it means to tell a story about small countries and complex conflicts.

Set in the late 1990s, during the height of the Kosovo War, Dua is a film about a girl who is struggling to come to terms with the reality of war and its impact on her family and community. As she navigates the daily violence and the possibility of having to leave her beloved country, Dua must learn how to protect herself physically and emotionally from the constant barrage of challenges thrown at her.

Key Details

Basholli explains that the film is semi-autobiographical, drawing heavily from her own experiences growing up in Kosovo during the war. "Most of the scenes in the film are based on what I experienced and what happened to me," she says. "Witnessing protests, watching the news, being part of all the discussions at home, leaving the country, it's all based on my life." This personal connection to the subject matter gives the film a sense of authenticity and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the world of the protagonist.

Basholli also cites the influence of other filmmakers, such as the Dardenne brothers and Andrea Arnold, whose work she admires for its nuanced and observational approach to storytelling. "I want people to feel that we are with an Albanian family in 1998 and not to make it feel like a beautiful film," she says. This commitment to realism is evident in the film's use of long shots and natural lighting, which creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

What Experts Say

According to Basholli, the goal of the film is to humanize the experience of growing up in a conflict zone, to show that teenagers in these situations are no different from anyone else. "They have the same hopes and fears, the same dreams and desires," she says. "They are not defined by their circumstances, but by their resilience and determination." This perspective is echoed by the film's director of photography, who notes that the film's use of long shots and natural lighting creates a sense of authenticity and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the world of the protagonist.

Key Takeaways

• The film is a powerful exploration of the human spirit and its capacity for resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
• The film's use of long shots and natural lighting creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the world of the protagonist.
• The film is a nuanced and deeply personal portrayal of life under siege, offering a unique perspective on the experiences of those living in conflict zones.
• The film highlights the importance of storytelling in understanding and humanizing the experiences of others.

What This Means For You

Dua is a film that challenges us to think about the experiences of others, to put ourselves in their shoes and to understand their perspectives. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling in breaking down barriers and building bridges between cultures and communities. As we watch the film, we are reminded of the resilience and determination of those living in conflict zones, and of the importance of empathy and understanding in building a more just and compassionate world.

As we reflect on the themes and messages of Dua, we are encouraged to think about our own place in the world, to consider the ways in which we can make a positive impact on the lives of others. Whether we are filmmakers, activists, or simply citizens of the world, we have the power to make a difference, to create change and to build a more just and compassionate world for all.