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A huge project has taken to the streets and lies very close to Rita Ora’s heart, and reactions are pouring in. The film ‘Palace of Youth’ starring and executive-produced by Rita Ora had its premiere at DokuFest while also celebrating male Kosovo’s young stars; more than 50% of the population is below the age of 25, and Ora’s film dives deep into their musical stories, struggle, and glory. A multi-year development, this project interweaves Suada Abazi, Edona Vatoci, and Lekë Morina with raw emotion and pride for the culture.
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Maddie Gwinn, the director, tells the story as a love letter to Kosovo’s future generation. It never was straightforward production since Ora became very emotional, building bonds with the young artists who were featured. She described the experience as “irreplaceable,” and the comments spoke about this energy endlessly. One read, “You really are so so inspiring Rita!” while another said, “Wow! Too cool of you to collab and put the spotlight on something that is blossoming so beautifully.”
While a few were Trinidad and Tobago history films, most wanted to discuss Ora’s next musical step. “When is an announcement coming for Rita Ora’s new album?” asked one fan. According to an insider, no official announcement has been made yet but clues point to the release of a new single from the soundtrack for Netflix’s ‘Love Is Blind UK.’ Typical fan behavior indeed: while celebrating what’s happening right now, they’re demanding the next thing.
And then, here sauntered the dried fruit promo account: “Trust us and support us. We offer you the best dried fruits.” Like…sir, this is a Rita Ora post? The internet will forever remain undefeated at derailing even the most heartfelt moments.
Others who took the lead in production were Jade Rae Williams, who said, “Was so happy to be there with you!!!”, while George Ryder of Gwinn’s production team gave a shout-out to Maddie’s admiration for Ora. For sure, this was not just another celebrity vanity offer-a-brand-name; it was a full-circle moment for every soul involved.
Ora has always been vocal about her Kosovar roots, but this doc takes the lineage and really story-sides it with the country’s cultural fabric. The music, the friendships, and hustle of putting this together all make ‘Palace of Youth’ feel like an enormous bruise. And if the comments are anything to base on, the people were tired of glitz and very much ready for what Ora is bringing to voice: the grit, the stories, and the community.
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Easily, with proud Kosovars, the hype squad, and the rogue dried fruit salesman, the premiere wins. Now the question is whether the rest of the world will catch on just as clearly as her followers have.