close

Highly awaited ‘Hive’ by Blerta Basholli premieres at Sundance Film Festival

Blerta Basholli's debut film 'Hive' premiered at this year's virtual edition of Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the United States. The Kosovar film screened as part of the main festival category - World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Inspired by a true story, ‘Hive’ is "is an empowering look at a woman adrift but surviving after the disappearance of her husband" as described by IndieWire. While searching for her husband lost during the war, Fahrije (played by Yllka Gashi) challenges the conservative townspeople, who are steadfast on traditional roles and patriarchal expectations. She disregards insults, gossip, and even physical attacks to empower a community of women to be self-reliant and independent in order to survive together.

Main role is played by Yllka Gashi, while in the other roles are: Çun Lajçi, Kumrije Hoxha, Aurita Agushi, Kaona Sylejmani, Mal Noah Safçiu, Adriana Matoshi, Astri Kabashi, Molikë Maxhuni, Blerta Ismaili, Valire Haxhijaj Zeneli, Armend Smajli, Ilir Prapashtica Xhejlane Terbunja, Shkelqim Islami etc.; with producer Yll Uka, director of photography Alex Bloom, editor Edis Saraçi and Félix Sandri, and co-producers Valon Bajgora, Agon Uka, Britta Rindelaub, Kristijan Burovski, Tomi Salkovski, and Paskal Semini.

"Zgjoi" is a co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland, Albania and Northern Macedonia, supported by the Kosovo Cinematography Center, the Federal Office for Culture FOC and Cinéforom (Switzerland), the Film Agency of Northern Macedonia and the National Cinematography Center of Albania, produced by Industry Film and Ikonë Studio with co-production by Alva Film Production, Black Cat Production, AlbaSky, Swiss National TV, and with LevelK as the global sales agency.

Our partners