Movie of the Week: MEMORIA (Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 2021)
Always email your heroes
Email sent January 8, 2026, 4:32pm PST:
Dear Apichatpong,
I hope this message finds you well in the new year. My name is Sachin Dharwadker, and I’m a filmmaker and screenwriter based in Los Angeles. I’m writing to you because first and foremost I want to express that I’m a huge fan and your work has meant a lot to me over the years. I saw Cemetery of Splendour when it was in theaters (I was at film school in New York at the time), and then caught pretty much everything else at the American Cinematheque retrospective a few years ago. I was so glad I waited to see them on the big screen — while the digital copy of Blissfully Yours was in rough shape, there were beautiful 35mm prints of Tropical Malady and Uncle Boonmee; I believe Syndromes and a Century was digital but it still looked great. As someone whose own work as a filmmaker tends towards the more conventionally dramatic, I found myself totally swept up in your dreamy, surreal vision of the world.
Which brings me to Memoria, perhaps my favorite of your films. It affected me so deeply that the short film I’m about to shoot in three weeks pays direct homage to it. Rahul & Rosa is the story of a couple who can’t stop deceiving each other as they go hiking on a beautiful trail near Palm Springs, California. When Rosa finds herself alone by a stream in a grove of palm trees, strange things start to happen and there’s a big conceptual/structural twist. (To give you a hint, there’s also touch of Hong Sang-soo’s Right Now, Wrong Then.)
So I just wanted to let you know that your work — even a film as hard to find as Memoria! — is out there inspiring filmmakers like me. I should be finishing Rahul & Rosa by March or April, and if you’re open to it, I’d cherish the opportunity to send it to you. Should only be around 10-12 minutes in the end.
Take care in the meantime.
Best,
Sachin
Email received January 10, 2026, 2:43am PST:
Dear Sachin,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful message. Apichatpong asked me to pass along his thanks, he was very touched to read your words.
Unfortunately, he’s not able to watch films at the moment, but he sends you his warmest blessing and wishes you all the best going forward.
Warmly,
Jane Doe
Apichatpong’s Assistant
Email sent January 11, 2026 9:52pm PST:
Dear Jane,
Thank you so much for the response. I’m glad to hear he was moved and hope he’s in good health. Cheers!
Best,
Sachin