Dreams and a Lost Letter to Love
Visual poetry in two parts discovered by the Narrator through dance. Each movement becomes a visual expression of her inner voice. The Narrator is trapped in the abandoned house of her own mind.
The first part, Triptych about Dreams, explores three stages of experiencing war: inevitability, acceptance of loss, and homesickness. The second part is inspired by a handwritten letter, lost after being read just once.
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Nika KrykunDirector
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Nika KrykunWriter
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Nika KrykunProducer
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Zuleika LavenderKey Cast
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Ratmir BilodidSound design
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Project Type:Experimental, Short
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Runtime:7 minutes 26 seconds
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Completion Date:December 19, 2024
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Production Budget:900 GBP
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Country of Origin:Ukraine
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English, Ukrainian
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Shooting Format:16 mm film
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Aspect Ratio:4:3
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Film Color:Black & White
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes - Richmond American international university in London
Nika is a multimedia artist originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, and currently based in London. Since graduating from the Kyiv School of Art and Music №5 in 2019, Nika has explored a diverse array of artistic mediums, with a particular focus on analogue photography and filmmaking. Her practice is a dynamic blend of visual arts, performance, and storytelling.
In 2020, Nika’s artistic journey took a significant turn when she ventured into the world of cinema as an actress in Stop Zemlia, an awards-winning feature film directed by Kateryna Gornostai. This pivotal experience deepened her fascination with film, inspiring her to pursue further studies in film and photography in London after fleeing the war in her home country.
In 2024, Nika co-founded the Triyka collective alongside two other Ukrainian artists, Daria Pyshna and Lada Kopytova. The collective was established in May 2024 and rapidly gained recognition with two exhibitions in London during the summer. Nika’s work now integrates visual development, sound design, performance, and narrative, all of which she views as essential components of the filmmaking process. Through her films, Nika aims to foster meaningful connections with both the world around her and with herself.
"Dreams and a Lost Letter to Love" emerged from my return to Kyiv, Ukraine, after leaving at the onset of the full-scale war. This experimental short is rooted in the archival notes I wrote about the dreams I’ve had since departing my homeland. The first part of the film, Triptych about Dreams, reflects on themes of inevitability, acceptance, and homesickness. The second part draws inspiration from a handwritten letter that was sent to Ukraine and disappeared after being read once. Discovering its loss, I became fascinated by how form is never static, and how I might breathe new life into this intimate, fleeting letter.
Working with analog photography, I chose to shoot this project on 16mm black and white film using a Bolex camera, embracing the tactile, ephemeral nature of the medium.
"Dreams and a Lost Letter to Love" is a delicate exploration of the tension between the inevitability of loss and the endurance of love. Creating and sharing these deeply personal thoughts felt like standing naked in a room full of strangers—an experience both vulnerable and cathartic.