In Latvia, the name Olija is somewhat similar to the sporting equivalent of Bono in many parts of the world. No need for a last name so people know who you’re talking about! If you don’t know it yet, it’s the name of legendary Latvian basketball player Ojana “Oliya” Semjonova. now, OlyaA biographical drama film by Latvian director Vesturs Karčes, inspired by her life, is set to make its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, bringing her story to the world.
The film follows an athlete’s journey from rural life, embarrassed about her unusual height and confused about her identity, to basketball stardom. Latvian actor Karlis Arnolds Avots – you may have seen him January or Soviet jeans – He portrays the athlete and co-wrote the screenplay with Livia Ullmann and Andris Feldmanis. Cinematography was handled by Wojtek Staron.
The producer is Guntis Trekteris from Ego Media, with Ieva Norviliene, Pille Rünk and Malgorzata Staron.
Serve as co-producers. B-Rated International is handling sales.
“Her unusual height upsets her family, who wonder if there is a place for her in the world,” the film’s synopsis reads. Olyawhich begins in 1964, and means Latvia during the era of the Soviet Union. The fact that she grew up in an Old Believer community, which follows the ancient religious practices of the Russian Orthodox Church as it existed before the reforms of the mid-17th century, also places her outside the norms of the community. The Old Believers have sometimes been compared to the Amish. But when the basketball coaches see her class photo, she is called to the Latvian capital, Riga, to join the famous basketball team, but she continues to struggle. “Having accepted herself, she faces a choice: hide or aim to become the best basketball player in the world.”
THR Two exclusive clips from the black-and-white film can now be revealed, offering a peek into the story of someone who realizes that his life will never be completely “normal.”
The first exclusive clip from Olya It takes us straight into a basketball team training session. Whether you have good or bad memories of sports during your school time, this scene alerts you that size may not be all that matters. This shows how different a young woman’s appearance and feelings are. Running is not an option! Watch the first clip here.
The second exclusive clip from the film highlights some of the future sports star’s religious upbringing in an Old Faithful family. Will she choose basketball as her new faith? Watch the second exclusive scene from Olya here.
