Kivičs sharply criticises Viesturs Kairišs's film about basketball player Uļjana Semjonova

Musician and former basketball player Andris Kivičs has published a very harsh critique on Facebook of the new Latvian feature film “Uļa”, dedicated to the legendary basketball player Uļjana Semjonova. The film was directed by Viesturs Kairišs. The post sparked wide discussion about the film and about Kivičs's choice of language.

Kivičs's objections

Kivičs writes that Semjonova was a positive and happy person who travelled the world and experienced vivid moments in sport, but that in his view the film does not show this. He objects to the black-and-white, bleak mood of the film and believes the director used Semjonova's image to address contemporary themes. Kivičs also claims the director received state funding. The only aspects he praised were the roles of coach Rimbenieks and Avots. He justifies his right to speak out by noting that he is a 1994 world champion in 3x3 basketball and played seven seasons in the Latvian Basketball League (LBL).

Reaction in the comments

In the comments, some users disagree with Kivičs, while others share his views but express bewilderment at his crude language. One commenter, who said she once played against Semjonova, agreed that the film is needlessly gloomy and noted that such a mood could only have been tied to Semjonova's final years. Another user stressed that crude expression points to a low level of culture. Kivičs later edited his post and removed several vulgar words.

The film's international path

“Uļa” is the most-watched film in Latvia this autumn. Its world premiere took place in the spring in the Cannes Film Festival's “Un Certain Regard” programme, and in August it was selected as Latvia's candidate for the Oscar in the Best International Feature category. In November it will open the Nordische Filmtage Lübeck festival in Germany and the Class A 30th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) in Estonia, and it will also be screened in New York, London, Paris and other cities.

Kairišs says the team made a very personal story that turned out to be understandable to everyone, because everyone has at some point felt “too different”.