Having been a loyal supporter of the Sydney Underground Film Festival for the past six years, I’m certainly no stranger to the diverse and eclectic choices that make up the film list year on year. The organisers proudly wear the latest weird and wonderful of the celluloid vein as part of its staple line up and Poundcake by Director Onur Tukel is no exception. Tukel is no stranger in taking on controversial conversations which centre  on the subject of relationships or gender, and with Poundcake he picks up the tendentious topics and rams it into the ground, pulverising it into a pulp. For those unaccustomed to the director’s visual and political stance, it’s fair to say that Tukel doesn’t shy away from areas that are too uncomfortable for some, and deliberately pushes those buttons in order to not only get a response but to also create discussion.

In his latest venture, Tukel directs and performs in a tale which is billed as a serial killer in New York City who is going around killing straight white men and no one blinks an eye. On face value, this is filled with intrigue, and it’s premise hooked me in along with the gimp mask wearing, beefy-looking serial killer, but these moments are fleeting, and somewhat shocking as his chosen method of killing is by raping his victims. The majority of the time, the film is told by a group of podcasters and members of the community who all share their polarising views. This dampens the moments of horror and instead squashes and distances the viewer with the bombardment of messages.

The Prognosis:

SUFF will hang their hat on the weird and wonderful moments in film, and with this Poundcake fits the bill. Horror lovers may find themselves wanting however, as this film is a socially political narrative from a director who will challenge some with his views. Personally, I found them a little jarring, but maybe you have a different spin on things and feel that he is deliberately provoking commentary.

Why not judge for yourself and post your thoughts here.

• Saul Muerte

Poundcake will be screening at the Sydney Underground Film Festival, Friday 8th September at 6pm.