Brief Traffic Interruption expected for Filming

Movie magic is coming to Jelgava! On Wednesday, May 7th, the Lielupe bridge will serve as a backdrop for scenes in the upcoming feature film Ula. Motorists should anticipate brief, intermittent traffic stoppages, lasting no more than two minutes each, starting at 7:30 PM. Filming is scheduled to wrap up around 10:00 PM.

To facilitate the shoot, the lane closest to the city center will be occupied by filming equipment, effectively channeling traffic flow towards the city center. Authorities assure minimal disruption to regular traffic patterns.

Ula: A Documentary-Style Biopic of Basketball Legend Uļjana Semjonova

Directed by Viestur Kairish and produced by Ego Media, Ula promises a unique cinematic experience. The film delves into the exceptional life of Uļjana Semjonova, the globally renowned latvian basketball icon. From her humble beginnings on an Old Believers’ farmstead in the Latvian countryside, to her arrival in Riga as a shy teenager, the film explores Semjonova’s journey of self-finding, athletic prowess, and unwavering determination.

It is indeed a documentary and paradoxical story of an unusual woman – Ulyan Semyonov – the world’s most famous Latvian basketball players, whose life began as an unusually large child in far -off Latvian countryside, the Old Believers’ family farmstead.

Ego Media

Semjonova’s impact on basketball is undeniable.standing at 7’2″, she dominated the sport for decades, leading the Soviet union to numerous Olympic and World Championship titles. Her legacy continues to inspire aspiring athletes worldwide. According to recent statistics from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), women’s basketball participation has seen a 15% increase globally in the last five years, a testament to the enduring influence of figures like Semjonova.

Local Talent Takes center Stage

Jelgava’s own talent will be showcased in Ula. Karlis Arnolds Ava,a Daile Theater actor and former basketball player at Jelgava Children and Youth Sports School,will play a role in the film. Albertīna Rudneva, representing both the jelgava Children and Youth Sports School and the Jelgava Athletics Club, will also participate.

The film boasts a diverse cast, including Alice Dzene, Kaspars dumburs, Dārta Cīrule, and Arthur Kruzkops, among others.

International Collaboration Enhances Production

The production of Ula is a collaborative effort, bringing together cinematographers from Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania, adding an international dimension to the film’s creative vision.