Hive (film) explained

Hive
Director:Blerta Basholli
Producer:
  • Yll Uka
  • Valon Bajgora
  • Agon Uka
Starring:
Music:Julien Painot
Cinematography:Alex Bloom
Editing:
  • Félix Sandri
  • Enis Saraçi
Production Companies:
  • Ikone Studio
  • Industria Film
  • AlbaSky Film
  • Alva Film
  • Black Cat Production
Distributor:Zeitgeist Films
Kino Lorber (United States)
Runtime:84 minutes
Country:Kosovo
Switzerland
Albania
North Macedonia
Language:Albanian

Hive (Albanian: Zgjoi) is a 2021 Kosovan drama film written and directed by Blerta Basholli in her directorial debut. The film stars Yllka Gashi, Çun Lajçi and Aurita Agushi.[1] 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.[2] It was selected as the Kosovan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.[3]

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.[4]

Fahrije’s husband has been missing since the war in Kosovo, and along with their grief, her family is struggling financially. In order to provide for them she launches a small agricultural business, but in the traditional patriarchal village where she lives, her ambition and efforts to empower herself and other women are not seen as positive things. She struggles not only to keep her family afloat but also against a hostile community who is rooting for her to fail.[5]

Cast

Production

The film was produced by Ikone Studio, Industria Film and was co-produced by AlbaSky Film, Alva Film, and Black Cat Production.

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

[8]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Sundance Film FestivalFebruary 3, 2021Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic Blerta Basholli[9]
World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Film and TV Projects Going Into Production - Hive. . March 24, 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210324214217/https://www.varietyinsight.com/production_restart_full_view.php?track_id=186264 . March 24, 2021.
  2. Web site: Sundance announces its award winners. Kaleem. Aftab. March 2, 2021. February 3, 2021. Cineuropa. en.
  3. Web site: "Hive" to be Kosovo's official submission for the Oscars 2022 . EuroNews Albania . 8 September 2021 . 8 September 2021 . April 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220422124053/https://euronews.al/en/arts/2021/09/08/hive-to-be-kosovos-official-submission-for-the-oscars-2022/ . dead .
  4. News: 2021-11-11. Review: Widowed and oppressed, the women of 'Hive' assert a gritty independence. 2022-01-31. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  5. Web site: Hive . 2022-07-07 . Cineuropa . en.
  6. Web site: Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright. Variety. Peter. Debruge. December 15, 2020. January 3, 2021. en.
  7. Web site: Sundance Triple Winner 'Hive' Selected as Kosovo's International Oscar Entry . Deadline . September 9, 2021 .
  8. m. hive. Hive. October 17, 2023.
  9. Web site: Here Are Your 2021 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners. Sinha. Charu. Vulture. February 3, 2021. February 4, 2021.