A poignant dance between memory and loss, ‘Memoris’, by Jobin Kuruvilla George, is a short film that wears its heart unapologetically on its sleeve. Part tribute, part personal excavation, this low-budget short edges closer to an experimental docu-drama than a conventional narrative.
At its heart, ‘Memoris’ is a love letter to grandparents – their influence, their warmth, their inevitable absence. The narrator, also the film’s on-screen focal point, guides us through a mosaic of childhood memories. These moments are tenderly juxtaposed with raw, home-video-style footage of a grandparent and grandchild sharing uncomplicated, genuine love. It’s not just reflective; it’s a mirror held up to anyone lucky enough to have been shaped by the quiet presence of their elders.
George’s direction leans into the strength of his cinematography. While the storytelling occasionally feels secondary – more a collection of impressions than a cohesive arc – the decision works in favor of the film’s tone, reinforcing its experimental edge.
It’s clear this was a deeply personal project for George, and while the film might lack the polish of a bigger-budget production, the sincerity is disarming. You can feel the filmmaker pouring pieces of himself into the film creating a reflective yet universally resonant work. ‘Memoris’ is a heartfelt, almost fragile ode to the people who often go uncelebrated yet shape the corners of our lives.
