Basholli's 'Dua' premieres in Cannes Critics' Week

Blerta Basholli’s “Dua” had its world premiere on May 13 in Cannes Critics’ Week, placing the Kosovar director back on the Croisette with her second feature after “Hive.” The film is set in late-1990s Prishtina, Kosovo, and follows a 13-year-old girl as war approaches and ethnic tensions rise, according to Critics’ Week. Variety reported on May 14 that Basholli described the project as semi-autobiographical. The premiere puts “Dua” in the Critics’ Week competition lineup for the 2026 festival. ### When did “Dua” actually premiere in Cannes? May 13 was the date of the world premiere, according to both Variety and the official Critics’ Week page. Critics’ Week listed screenings for “Dua” at the Miramar theater on May 13, including an 11:30 a.m. showing and a 5:30 p.m. screening with the film crew attending. May 14 brought additional Cannes screenings, including showings at 8:45 a.m. at Miramar, 2:00 p.m. at Studio 13 and 9:30 p.m. at Alexandre III, according to the festival page. (semainedelacritique.com) ### What story does Basholli tell in the film? Prishtina in the late 1990s is the setting for a story centered on 13-year-old Dua as war looms and ethnic tensions escalate, the Critics’ Week synopsis says. (semainedelacritique.com) The official description says Dua struggles to find her place among her peers and within her changing body, then becomes a target after an incident shakes her community and forms a bond with a girl named Maki. RTS, a co-producing broadcaster listed on the project, said the film follows a teenage girl whose daily and family life changes as the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia intensifies. RTS also said the story includes pressure on Dua from family upheaval and violence as she tries to choose her own path. ### How personal is the material for Basholli? (semainedelacritique.com) Variety reported that Basholli, who was born in Kosovo, called the film semi-autobiographical. “Most of the scenes in the film are based on what I experienced and what happened to me,” she told the publication, referring to protests, news reports, family discussions and leaving the country. (rts.ch) Variety also reported that Basholli said she wanted to avoid over-explaining the history and instead stay close to the protagonist’s point of view. She said the film tried to tell that period “through” Dua’s journey. ### Who is in the cast and how was Dua chosen? Pinea Matoshi plays Dua, according to Critics’ Week and Variety. (variety.com) The official Cannes page also lists Vlera Bilalli, Kaona Matoshi, Yllka Gashi, Kushtrim Hoxha and Andi Bajgora in the cast. Variety reported that Basholli and second assistant director Dafina Gjikolli auditioned around 5,000 children during their search in Prishtina schools before casting Matoshi. (variety.com) Basholli told the outlet that Matoshi reminded her of herself as a teenager and said the young actor could “talk with her eyes.” ### Who made the film, and where does it sit in the Cannes lineup? (semainedelacritique.com) “Dua” is a Kosovo-Switzerland-France production, according to Critics’ Week. The screenplay is credited to Basholli and Nicole Borgeat, while production credits include Valon Bajgora, Britta Rindelaub, Thomas Reichlin, Amaury Ovise, Yll Uka and Agon Uka. RTS said the film is one of seven feature films in competition in Critics’ Week, selected from 1,050 titles viewed by the section. (variety.com) Critics’ Week lists The Party Film Sales as sales company and Jour2Fête as the French distributor. ### What comes after the premiere? Critics’ Week scheduled “Dua” screenings through May 14 in Cannes, with venues including Miramar, Studio 13 and Alexandre III. (semainedelacritique.com) The official page lists the film in the 2026 Critics’ Week competition and names The Party Film Sales for international sales and Jour2Fête for French distribution. (rts.ch)