BORDER

"BORDER" is a 19-minute experimental documentary by Sasha Shprotser that delves into the boundaries of personal and cultural identity through a deeply intimate journey. The film chronicles a four-day, 80-kilometer trek from Narva, Estonia, to the grave of her grandmother in Slantsy, a small Russian town just 15 kilometers from the Estonian border. It’s a place deeply embedded in Shprotser’s heritage—where her grandmother lived and where her mother was born—a place that adds a significant "Russian" layer to her identity.

The journey examines self-definition and the invisible borders that shape us. It features raw, documentary- style footage and authentic audio recordings. Shprotser’s face only appears in the final minute, allowing the landscape and the journey itself to take center stage.

Sasha Shprotser took on every aspect of the film’s creation—from filming and sound recording to editing and production—turning the solo journey into a true one-woman project. This is not just a film; it is a documentation of a physical and emotional journey that invites the audience to reflect on their own borders.

Sasha Shprotser was born in 1991 in Tallinn, Estonia. She is a multidisciplinary artist working across film, performance, and visual arts.

  • Sasha Shprotser
    Director
  • Sasha Shprotser
    Producer
  • Sasha Shprotser
    Key Cast
    "Sasha Shprotser"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Piir
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 20 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Estonia
  • Country of Filming:
    Estonia, Russian Federation
  • Language:
    English, Estonian, Russian
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sasha Shprotser

Sasha Shprotser, born in 1991 in Tallinn, Estonia, is a multidisciplinary artist who works across film, performance, and visual arts. She studied theater direction at GITIS (Russian Institute of Theatre Arts) and integrated art and multimedia at Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School.

Her work often explores themes of identity, borders, and self-discovery, blending personal narratives with broader social and cultural questions. BORDER, her debut short film, is a deeply personal exploration of memory, loss, and cultural identity. Through bold visual experimentation and intimate storytelling, Sasha addresses universal themes of belonging and resilience, creating a work that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

BORDER is a deeply personal journey I took—from Narva, Estonia, to my grandmother’s grave in Slantsy, Russia. It is a film born from my own experiences, but also a reflection on the many layers of identity, memory, and the invisible borders that define us.

The process of making this film was as personal as the journey itself. I created BORDER entirely alone—filming, sound, editing—each step reflecting my own path of discovery. Through experimental visuals and documentary storytelling, I aimed to create a work that invites viewers to reflect on their own relationships to boundaries—whether physical, emotional, or cultural—and how these boundaries influence our sense of self.