Festivals - Sundance Film Festival 2021 : Hive directed by Blerta Basholli will have its US premiere

By Mulder, 26 december 2020

In a tight-knit town in Kosovo, families struggle to make ends meet as they anxiously await news of husbands, fathers, and sons who were ripped away by the war. When Fahrije’s bees stop producing honey, she acquires her driver’s license and ventures into the city to sell homemade ajvar in a local grocery store. Fahrije’s ingenuity and ambition challenge 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.

Anchored by Yllka Gashi’s subdued yet intensely emotional performance, writer/director Blerta Basholli’s captivating debut is layered with honesty and authenticity. Her naturalistic camera focuses on the high-stakes enterprise Fahrije takes on while mourning the disappearance of her husband, navigating a new world, and surprising herself and those around her. Based on a real story, Hive is a quiet, uplifting gem that highlights the strength in its characters as it proves nothing can stop women on a mission.

Synopsis :
Fahrije's husband has been missing since the war in Kosovo. She sets up her own small business to provide for her kids, but as she fights against a patriarchal society that does not support her, she faces a crucial decision.

The Hive (Kosovo/Switzerland/Macedonia/Albania)
Written and directed by Blerta Basholli
Produced by Yll Uka, Valon Bajgora, Agon Uka
Co-Producers : Britta Rindelaub, Tomi Salkovski, Kristijan Burovski, Paskal Semini
Starring Yllka Gashi, Çun Lajçi, Aurita Agushi, Kumrije Hoxha, Adriana Matoshi, Kaona Sylejmani
Music by Julien Painot
Sound : Igor Pavlovski
Sound Design : Philippe Ciompi
Costume Design : Hana Zeqa, Fjorela Mirdita
Makeup : Fiona Abdullahu
Cinematography : Alex Bloom
Art Director : Vlatko Chachorovski
Edited by Félix Sandri, Enis Saraçi
Distributed by Ikone Studio
Release date : January 31, 2021 (Sundance)
Running time : 84 minutes

Premiere : jan. 31 - 9:00pm // Second screening : feb. 2 - 4:00pm (local time)

(Source : press release)