Scrap

Hard to believe this is the debut feature for writer, director, and actor Vivian Kerr and her producing partner, Rachel Stander. A beautifully told story of personal struggles and confronting the painful curveballs that life can throw at us. The portrait of Beth initially avoiding, but ultimately acknowledging the reality of her situation and accepting the help of those closest to her to overcome her setbacks was extremely realistic and relatable. The entire cast was fantastic. And the music - just wow! What an unexpected treat and such a critical underlying element to the family's story. All the elements of a great film delivered as close to perfection as one could hope for. Just like Beth's preparations for her new home with Birdy.

Scrap, written, directed and star by Vivian Kerr is a drama who speaks about homelessness and infertility issues with great sensitivity. It's a great family story as well.

The film tells the story of Beth (Vivian Kerr) who is homelessness after losing her job, her pride to keep it a secret from her brother and sister-in-law and the guilt for the burden she's placed on her family.

Anthony Rapp, as Ben, Beth's brother and Stacy, his wife, star by Lana Parrilla, are brillant.

We really enjoyed this film and the fantastic performances of its actors. We hope it see it very soon in theaters or on our TV screens.

I haven't spoken to my sibling in years, and watching *Scrap* felt like getting punched in the gut-equal parts guilt and love. The portrayal of Beth and Ben's relationship was so real it made me squirm. Their conversations, filled with awkward pauses, tension, and unspoken pain, mirrored the complicated history I have with my own sibling. It was like I was intruding on something deeply personal, something that wasn't meant to be seen by others. There weren't dramatic reconciliations or emotional speeches-just the small, quiet struggle to reconnect. And that's what made it powerful. It reminded me that sometimes showing up, even when it's hard, is the bravest thing you can do. Watching them try, fail, and still sit in the discomfort felt like a message meant for me. It left me wondering if it's time to try too, even if I don't know what I'd say.

I took a chance and decided to go see this one last night at Cinequest in downtown San Jose. Based on the trailer, I got the sense that this would be a more intelligent film than the others I'd seen in the festival so far. Boy, was I right: writer/director/star Vivian Kerr has pulled off a supremely confident feature debut which manages to contain JUST the right amount of quirky humor and emotional resonance without it ever once feeling forced, as so many other films in this genre and style tend to do. Beautifully shot on location in Los Angeles, and featuring a surprising soundtrack of 1920s and 30s-era music, Scrap manages to incorporate themes as wide-ranging as homelessness and young motherhood, all of which are handled delicately while the film itself remains a breezy character study of a young woman who is just barely getting by in life, but tries her best nevertheless.

This film was heartbreakingly beautiful. It simultaneously hurt and healed all the way up to the end. The writing, actors, cinematography, editing, and music were all excellent (the choice of music almost felt like a character of its own). These characters were written and portrayed in a way that felt very authentic. My favorite relationship explored was Beth and Stacy's. Their differences and similarities complemented each other gorgeously. You can tell there is a level of respect between the two, yet they have this complicated sister-in-law relationship. It felt extremely honest, and I found myself not taking either side; I simply rooted for them to come to some kind of understanding. All of the relationships were believable, but their's stuck out to me the most. I was also captivated by each character's vulnerabilities and strength. My first biggest takeaway from watching this film was the reminder that no matter how different our lives and personalities are, we are all connected in this human experience. My second biggest takeaway was that it's okay to rely on others to help get ourselves back on our feet... and to have the road eventually rise up to meet you.

(The ending scene was masterful. Ben's nod told more than any line could've.)