Dear Pillow

17 year old Wes is stuck living with his divorced father in a boring apartment complex. Eager for his first sexual encounter and starved for companionship, Wes reluctantly forms a friendship with neighbor Dusty after he discovers that the older man writes for an adult magazine called "Dear Pillow".

Dusty mentors Wes in the art of writing pornography and soon draws their lusty apartment manager into his dark lesson plan. The three form an uneasy alliance that plunges Wes into dangerously adult territory where he must choose between sexual fantasy and reality.

Awards

Someone to Watch Award Nomination, 2005 Independent Spirit Awards
Best of the Fest Selection, 2004 Edinburgh International Film Festival
Best Narrative Feature, 2004 Atlanta Film Festival
Best Feature, 2004 Boston Underground Film Festival
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature, 2004 Central Standard Film Festival

Reviews

"'Dear Pillow' is a striking debut for Austin filmmakers Bryan Poyser and Jacob Vaughn. Pic plays in the same uncomfortable, intersecting zone of adult and teen sex as the work of Larry Clark and Todd Solondz, " Robert Koehler, Variety

"The acting in 'Dear Pillow' is top notch. Rusty Kelly is great as the shy, but surly Wes. Gary Chason is fantastic as the penismaster Dusty. Writer / Director Bryan Poyser does a great job of handling the characters through out the film, which at times presents some challenging material." Jim Agnew, Film Threat

"'Dear Pillow' is a difficult film. Like Neil LaBute’s 'In The Company Of Men' 'Dear Pillow' does not contain any real nudity or any sex, however, is nonetheless adult and will undoubtedly receive an “R” rating. The conversations are abrupt and directly to the point broaching the subject of sexual taboos and youth in an interesting manner." Jonathan W. Hickman, Entertainment Insiders

"A stunning directorial debut from Bryan Poyser, this is a brutal and honest account of what goes on inside a teenage boy’s mind and how easily they can be manipulated. It’s funny and intelligent with great performances all around." Dr. Nick, Efilmcritic.com

"[A] film that pulls zero punches when it comes to discussing the often hot-button issues of human sexuality, pornography, and the desperate drive for companionship." Mark Savlov, The Austin Chronicle

"Provocative . . . witty and perceptive" - Los Angeles Times

Screenings

Slamdance Film Festival, Park City, UT, January 16-24, 2004
Florida Film Festival, Maitland, FL, March 5-14, 2004
SXSW Film Festival, Austin, TX, March 12-20, 2004
Egyptian Theater, Los Angeles, CA, April 15, 2004
Philadelphia Film Festival, Philadelphia, PA, April 8-21, 2004
Gen Art Film Festival, New York, NY, April 14-20, 2004
Taos Vision Quest Film Festival, Taos, NM, April 21-25, 2004
Maryland Film Festival, Baltimore, MD, May 6-9, 2004
Boston Underground Film Festival, Boston, MA, May 5-10, 2004
Angelika Film Center, Dallas, TX, May 10 & 24, 2004
Jacksonville Film Festival, Jacksonville, FL, May 13-16, 2004
Atlanta Film Festival, Atlanta, GA, June 11-20, 2004
Poconos Mountains Film Festival, Tannersville, PA, July 7-11, 2004
Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug 18-29, 2004
SXSW Summer Cinema Series, Austin, TX, September 1-9, 2004
Kansas International Film Festival, Overland Park, KS, September 10-16, 2004
Athens International Film Festival, Athens, Greece, September 17-26, 2004
Calgary International Film Festival, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sept 24-Oct 3, 2004