Raise Me a Memory
Varun Trikha
Estonia. 2023. 69 min

Varun Trikha, born in New Delhi, journeyed for years with a camera in an Estonian borderland. The historically fractured Petserimaa, torn apart by national borders, prompts contemplation about loss, separation, the desire for reunion, and the longing to reconnect with one’s culture.

Over six years, Varun Trikha is repeatedly drawn back to three local residents who have chosen to stay in this no man’s land. They surprise him with tales of their dreams that alleviate the burdens of the past and irretrievable losses. In a unique way, these stories also stir up the director’s own memories and quests. One night, seeking shelter in an abandoned house, he experiences a mysterious dream about his deceased grandfather, whom he has never met, and he resolves to uncover who his grandfather truly was.

In his poetic, visually rich film, Varun Trikha opens a dreamlike door to both Estonian and Indian societal wounds through the discovery of his own personal family history.