Latvian filmmaker Viesturs Kairišs is taking his latest film to one of cinema’s biggest stages. Ulya, a sports drama about basketball legend Ulyana Semyonova, has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section at next year’s Cannes Film Festival, a slot reserved for bold, original voices in filmmaking.
The film stars Kārlis Arnolds Avots in a striking performance as the young Semyonova, one of women’s basketball’s greatest players. In an unconventional casting choice, Avots—a male actor—takes on the role of the female athlete, adding an intriguing artistic dimension to the storytelling.
From Rural Latvia to Olympic Glory
Ulya follows Semyonova’s remarkable rise from a small village in Latvia to international stardom. The film, set in the late 1960s, captures a pivotal moment when a girl whose extraordinary height makes her an outsider is discovered by basketball coaches and brought to Riga. There, she must grapple with questions of identity and belonging while pursuing her athletic dreams.
Kairišs, known for weaving historical narratives with intimate character studies, brings his signature approach to the material. What begins as a personal coming-of-age story gradually expands into something more universal—a tale about ambition, self-acceptance, and finding one’s place in the world.
A Win for Baltic Cinema
The selection marks a significant moment for Latvian cinema on the world stage. Ulya is an international co-production involving Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Lithuania, reflecting the region’s growing creative ambitions and collaborative spirit.
The Cannes Film Festival runs May 12-23, 2026, and remains the industry’s most prestigious gathering. With its compelling true story and standout performances, Ulya appears poised to make waves both at the festival and beyond.
