Uncle David (2010)

In his directorial debut, writer and star David Hoyle weaves a tale that is as improvised, as it is unsettling. For this is the story of an uncle and his nephew and that of their sexually unconventional relationship, one that culminates in the sinister reason behind their stay at an out-of-season caravan park, on the Isle of Sheppey.

Not that there's much joy to be found in this coastal outing in Kent, for and in what appears to be at times almost a monologue, here Hoyle when not seen pimping his nephew out to pay the rent, lets rip on a series of opinionated views, many of which are no doubt intended to alarm. Then again, the undercurrent of Hoyle's conversation hints at darker days ahead for porn star Ashley Ryder, resulting with a shocking act that whilst telegraphed well in advance, is nevertheless devoid of any humanity in the form of an explanation as to why?

The result is an unnerving piece, with Hoyle on one hand going all out for the shock factor and here cue scenes of strangulation and drug taking to the extreme, whilst conversely lacing his work with musical interludes and sequences in which he is seen bathing Ashley, with Ryder's character forever childlike by nature, if adult in body. That the whole affair is both dark and disturbing, if somewhat depressing, is something of an understatement. But that said, fans of the provocative performance artist that is David Hoyle, will no doubt rejoice in its originality. Clearly not for everyone, goes without saying.