Pester

Pester is one of those films you don't easily forget. Just about every shot is well crafted and visually memorable. I especially appreciate the cinematography--Eric Gerber has an eye for colors and grit. Everything here works well, though. The acting is effectively understated. The dialogue is sparse, but it propels the characters and their conflicts toward an unexpected and unforgettable conclusion. The subject matter is dark and unusual too, but, underneath, the film has quite a bit of heart in the way it handles family relationships.

A horror film, a city study, and a deeply realized family portrait all at once, PESTER is unique. Set in a darkling LA nowhere PESTER is shot in locations so forlorn they are instant, heart-breaking classics of the genre. Eric Gerber's tactile cinematography is excellent, always beautiful even when picturing what we would normally consider repulsive. The performances, particularly the sensitive portrayals of the Pester brothers by Nick Sommer and Matthew Dunlop -- not to speak of their monstrous father, Thaine Allison -- are deep. There are scenes in PESTER that will make you squirm, and others that will chill you to the bone. But, unlike many exercises in horror, PESTER is not just about cheap thrills. There is a hard-won moral vision at its core. This film takes us on a trip through the byways of hell, as we struggle with the Pesters to reach the other side.

A beautiful film. Deeply moving and unexpected. The artful cinematography captures impressive and honest performances from Nick Sommer and Matthew Dunlop and the story explores profound and challenging themes. Thought provoking and complex, this heartfelt film portrays the Pester's, a family of exterminators, and themes of addiction, decay, and death with surprising empathy, clarity, and humor. "Pester" renders a rich emotional landscape that sweeps from the smallest creatures scurrying in the dirt to the expansive desert sky. Though this is a premise that could easily lend itself to a dark and unsettling character study the layered performances, impeccable timing, and studied observations give this story a sense of discovery. "Pester" constructs a world both unfamiliar and resonant, haunting and staggeringly beautiful. This is a work that stick with you and demands to be watched multiple times. Highly recommended.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Eric Gerber's previous work before Pester. I began the Milwaukee Short Film Festival 20 years ago, and continue to still run it to this day. During that time Eric was just a film student in the area when he submitted his work, and even as a young student he had a clear vision of how he saw the world.

Watching his work grow over the years, to this his first feature has been a real pleasure. His art has grown immensely, the way he studies his subjects hasn't changed, but his insights into have.

Being his own DP on his first feature help reinforce that. The imagery as usual with Eric's work are not only beautifully photographed but gives its characters layers beyond what you are witnessing.

The dialogue is sparse, and that's perfect for this film because beyond the imagery, the acting is first rate. Much is said in just the the most subtle body language. A knowing look. The hunched over posture of contemplating something. A dismissive wave. This extraordinary cast of unknowns is headed up by Nick Sommer who plays Paul Pester, a son to a fading empire. The one who might be the most stable in this small three person family unit, that is until the film takes a closer look at him.

In today's market Pester is a hard sell, but it worth it if you give it a chance. It's a film that is quiet but at the same time packs a punch. A true Independent film in today's sea of fighting robots and pretentious self important films begging for an Oscar.

Seek it out.

Pester is an exciting debut feature film by writer/director/dp Eric Gerber. I am particularly impressed with the depth of the writing. It is a film that explores dark and personal subject matter but also includes a unique quirkiness that gives it a good amount of humor. The story is very original and there are times when it is about go over the edge of creepiness, but it never does. This creates a tension that is reinforced by the interpersonal relationships of the characters. There are moments where it appears that something very twisted is happening and then there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for it, or at least the strange logic of the characters makes the viewer go along with it. It is writing like that that I find compelling in this film. The acting is great, and from reading interviews with Gerber it sounds like there was a healthy division of written lines and actor improvisation, which in this case makes the characters feel more real. The ending is a cleverly executed metaphor, which I won't give away. Beautifully shot and edited, all the elements of this film combined to create a very professional independent film from an exciting new director and a great crew. Looking forward to the next Gerber film.