Hive (film)
| Hive | |
|---|---|
 Sundance release poster | |
| Directed by | Blerta Basholli |
| Written by | Blerta Basholli |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Alex Bloom |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Julien Painot |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Zeitgeist Films Kino Lorber (United States) |
Release dates | |
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Countries | Kosovo Switzerland Albania North Macedonia |
| Language | Albanian |
Hive (Albanian: Zgjoi) is a 2021 Albanian-Kosovan drama film written and directed by Blerta Basholli in her directorial debut. The film stars Yllka Gashi, Çun Lajçi and Aurita Agushi.[2] It premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021 and became the first film in Sundance history to win all three main awards – the Grand Jury Prize, the Audience Award and the Directing Award – in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.[3] It was selected as the Kosovan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.[4]
Premise
The movie is based on the true story of a woman, Fahrije, who goes against misogynistic societal expectations to become an entrepreneur after her husband went missing during the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. She starts selling her own ajvar and honey, recruiting other women in the process.[5]
Cast
- Yllka Gashi as Fahrije
- Çun Lajçi as Haxhi
- Aurita Agushi as Zamira
- Kumrije Hoxha as Nazmije
- Adriana Matoshi as Lume
- Molikë Maxhuni as Emine
- Blerta Ismaili as Edona
Production
The film was produced by Ikone Studio, Industria Film and was co-produced by AlbaSky Film, Alva Film, Black Cat Production.[1]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2021 in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section.[6] On September 8, 2021, Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber acquired the film's U.S. distribution rights and set it for a November 5, 2021 theatrical release in the United States.[7]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 43 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Anchored by Yllka Gashi's outstanding performance, Hive leads viewers on one woman's fact-based quest for self-determination in a patriarchal society."[8]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sundance Film Festival | February 3, 2021 | Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic | Blerta Basholli | Won | [9] |
| World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic | Won | ||||
| Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic | Won |
See also
- Cinema of Kosovo
- List of submissions to the 94th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Kosovan submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ a b "Sundance - FPG". Sundance. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Hive". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Aftab, Kaleem. "Sundance announces its award winners". Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ ""Hive" to be Kosovo's official submission for the Oscars 2022". EuroNews Albania. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
- ^ "Review: Widowed and oppressed, the women of 'Hive' assert a gritty independence". Los Angeles Times. November 11, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (December 15, 2020). "Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright". Variety. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ "Sundance Triple Winner 'Hive' Selected as Kosovo's International Oscar Entry". September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Hive". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
- ^ Sinha, Charu (February 3, 2021). "Here Are Your 2021 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners". Vulture. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
External links
- HIVE - Official Trailer on Vimeo
- Hive at IMDb
- Hive at Rotten Tomatoes
