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Ulya

Play trailer Poster for Ulya 2026 1h 42m Biography Sports Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Soviet Union, Latvia, 1964. Ulya, an Old Believer teenage girl nearing two meters tall, grows up on a faraway country farm. Her unusual height troubles her family, who wonder if there's a place for her in the world. When her class photo reaches basketball coaches, Ulya is whisked to Riga to join a famous basketball team. Struggling with her height and identity, she trains hard, but realizes basketball can't fulfill her dream of a normal life. After fleeing back home, Ulya discovers both village life and basketball see her only for her height. Accepting herself, she faces a choice: hide or aim to be the best basketball player in the world.

Critics Reviews

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Murtada Elfadl Variety 1d
The filmmakers may have good intentions, and their portrayal of Semjonova is mostly positive. But they also portray her as a victim of her size and society, and that does not give this woman the graceful tribute she deserves. Go to Full Review Eulàlia Iglesias Caimán Cuadernos de Cine 1d
Avots creates a sensitive character who relates to the world from the vulnerability of someone who feels different. It's impossible not to connect emotionally with the protagonist and her struggles. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Diego Batlle Otroscines.com 1d
3/5
Without sensationalism or cheap shots, with austerity, elegance, restraint, and sensitivity, Viesturs Kairišs achieves a valuable individual portrait that is also a record of the era. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Viesturs Kairiss

Director

Karlis Arnolds Avots

Ulya

Chulpan Khamatova

Mother

Aleksas Kazanavicius

Father

Kaspars Dumburs

Pauls Karpovičs

Arturs Kruzkops

Karbergs
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Ulya

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Movie Info

Synopsis Soviet Union, Latvia, 1964. Ulya, an Old Believer teenage girl nearing two meters tall, grows up on a faraway country farm. Her unusual height troubles her family, who wonder if there's a place for her in the world. When her class photo reaches basketball coaches, Ulya is whisked to Riga to join a famous basketball team. Struggling with her height and identity, she trains hard, but realizes basketball can't fulfill her dream of a normal life. After fleeing back home, Ulya discovers both village life and basketball see her only for her height. Accepting herself, she faces a choice: hide or aim to be the best basketball player in the world.
Director
Viesturs Kairiss
Producer
Guntis Trekteris
Screenwriter
Arnolds Karlis Avots, Livia Ulman, Andris Feldmanis
Production Co
Ego Media
Genre
Biography, Sports, Drama
Original Language
Latvian
Runtime
1h 42m