Der Manster
About the Director
Anita Lester, a multidisciplinary artist from Melbourne, Australia, is renowned for her work across film, painting, music, and literature. Her 2017 short film *Noch Am Leben (I’m Still Alive)* was an official selection at over 50 festivals globally, including multiple Oscar contenders, and is now a permanent installation in Holocaust and Jewish museums, including Yad Vashem. In 2023, Anita’s debut feature film *Song of Songs* was announced, produced by Jamie Bialkower and executive produced by Shekhar Kapur. Her art, often inspired by mythological stories, includes the 100th anniversary edition of ‘Farmacopeia’, originally illustrated by Chagall. Anita’s striking paintings, including portraits of Holocaust survivors and prominent figures like Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have received widespread acclaim. Her storytelling, rooted in Jewish culture, is a constant thread through her diverse body of work.
Synopsis
A young woman faces the haunting memories of her Holocaust survivor grandfather, transforming his ghostly presence into a beacon of strength for her unborn children in a world where history’s echoes fade but patterns repeat. The film, a dance of animated windows, flows between the literal and symbolic, weaving past and present in a whispered narrative beneath the surface.
Director’s Statement
‘Der Manster’ emerged unexpectedly but inevitably as the Jewish world has suddenly changed…again. When I became pregnant with my twin boys, my collaboration with the Holocaust museum awakened a sense of purpose I couldn’t ignore. The stories of our grandparents are now ours to carry forward, and I feel a profound responsibility to share them.
This new film is intensely personal, drawing on my grandfather’s struggles and those of his sister, my great-aunt. In 2016, I made a film about her that unexpectedly resonated with audiences, revealing the power of storytelling to humanize the complex emotions tied to Holocaust trauma and legacy.
With this film, I’m continuing the dialogue I began with that project, exploring those emotions even further. By weaving in my grandfather’s anecdotal stories, I aim to add a vivid, personal dimension that brings the past to life in a relatable way.
This film isn’t just a project for me-it’s a way to honor the past while building a bridge to the future. I’m passionate about its potential impact and eager to share it, hoping it will resonate with others and become part of their own histories, enriching our collective understanding of where we come from and where we’re going.