The 65th Critics’ Week, set to unspool from 13-21 May as part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, has unveiled its selection (see the news), with Dua, the latest feature by Kosovar writer-director Blerta Basholli, among the chosen titles.

Set in the late 1990s in Pristina, as war looms and ethnic tensions escalate, the film follows 13-year-old Dua, who struggles to find her place among her peers and within her changing body. After an incident shakes her community, she becomes a target herself and bonds with a fearless girl, Maki, who draws her towards an unexpected form of resistance. Between the daily violence and the growing threat of exile, there is little room for quiet awakenings.

The cast is led by newcomer Pinea Matoshi in the title role, alongside Kaona Matoshi as Tina, Yllka Gashi (Hive) as Zana, Kushtrim Hoxha (Cold November) as Bekim, Fiona Abdullahu as Mimi, Arben Bajraktaraj (A Shelter Among the Clouds, Pandemonium), Mila Savic as Mrs Tomic, Vlera Bilalli and Andi Bajgora (The Hill Where Lionesses Roar).

Basholli directs from a screenplay that she co-wrote with Swiss writer-director Nicole Borgeat (Délits mineurs). The project marks her return five years after the international success of her debut feature, Hive, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it made history by winning the Grand Jury Prize, the Directing Award and the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

The film was shot on location in Kosovo in October 2024. The cinematography is by Lucie Baudinaud (Nino), the editing by Enis Saraçi, and the music was composed by Audrey Ismaël. Sound was handled by Marc von Stürler, Xavier Lavorel and Philippe Ciompi, while production design was entrusted to Sasho Blazhevski.

Dua is a co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland and France, staged by Valon Bajgora and Yll Uka for Ikonë Studio, which also produced Hive, alongside Britta Rindelaub and Thomas Reichlin for Alva Film, plus Amaury Ovise for Kazak Productions. ARTE France Cinéma and RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse are also on board as co-producing partners. Its world sales are handled by French sales agent The Party Film Sales.