Ulya, a biographical drama about the life of legendary Latvian basketball player Uļjana "Ulya" Semjonova, is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section. The film follows the athlete's journey from a rural life, feeling awkward about her unusual height and identity, to basketball stardom. Latvian actor Kārlis Arnolds Avots portrays the athlete and co-wrote the script with Livia Ulman and Andris Feldmanis. The film's cinematography is handled by Wojtek Staron, and it is produced by Guntis Trekteris of Ego Media, with Ieva Norviliene, Pille Rünk, and Malgorzata Staron serving as co-producers. B-Rated International is handling sales.
The film's synopsis reads: "Her unusual height troubles her family, who wonder if there’s a place for her in the world." Set in Soviet Union-era Latvia, the film explores the athlete's struggle to accept herself, especially within the context of her Old Believer religious upbringing, which follows pre-reform practices of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Old Believers have been compared to the Amish.
Two exclusive clips from the black-and-white film provide sneak peeks at the story of someone coming to realize that their life will never be quite "normal."
In one clip, we see the athlete in a training session for the basketball team, highlighting how size may not be all that matters in sports. The scene also emphasizes how different the young woman looks and feels.
The second clip shines a spotlight on the athlete's religious upbringing in an Old Believer family, raising the question of whether she will choose basketball as her new faith.
Ulya is a powerful exploration of identity, acceptance, and the challenges faced by those who stand out from the norm. It promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring film, offering a unique perspective on the life of a sporting legend.
