Ulya Review: A Portrait of Basketball Legend Ulyana Semjonova
Originally published Jun 2, 2026
By Murtada Elfadl · Variety
AI-generated summary based on Variety · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jun 2, 2026
Key points
- “Ulya” is a biopic about Soviet basketball legend Ulyana Semjonova, who won many medals and championships.
- The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Director Viesturs Kairišs highlights Semjonova's personal struggles, particularly those related to her height.
- Critics note the film's striking visuals but criticize its one-dimensional portrayal of Semjonova's life.
- The narrative offers limited insight into her broader impact on basketball or personal achievements beyond the court.
“Ulya,” a biopic of Latvian-born basketball legend Ulyana Semjonova, recently premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film chronicles Semjonova’s career as a Soviet Union basketball player, highlighting her numerous medals and championships from the late 1960s into the 1980s. Director Viesturs Kairišs presents her life through a lens that emphasizes her personal struggles, particularly those tied to her physical stature. While the film is visually striking and emotionally resonant, it is criticized for its one-dimensional portrayal of Semjonova’s life and legacy. The narrative focuses heavily on her challenges, offering limited insight into her broader impact on the sport or her personal achievements beyond the court.
Read the original story: Variety
