ON TENDER HOOKS

Compiled from footage culled over the course of a year, this is a documentary by filmmaker Kate Shenton. Its subject is "suspenders". Now, before you reach for the Kleenex, I should clarify that this term does not apply to something you'd find a hot female modelling in the lingerie pages of the latest Debenhams catalogue...

The truth, rather, is more disturbing. "Suspenders" in this case are people who seek to have hooks pierced through their flesh, and then be raised and left dangling from them in mid-air. You know, like what that psycho in ICHI THE KILLER enjoyed doing. Ouch.

The bulk of the film follows a group of London-based folk who meet on Sundays to indulge in their curious pastime. They gather under the shelter of a locked workshop and help - from assisting in the flesh-piercing with fishing hooks, to the spectator approval of what's transpiring - while members of their congregation are granted their fetishist wishes.

There are tears, inevitably, but surprisingly little blood as skin is punctured by the mean-looking hooks. Said hooks are speared not only through shoulders but also through stomach flesh, legs, upper arms and even breasts (this latter moment is more squirm-inducing than the infamous, albeit fictitious, moment of tit-impalement in CANNIBAL FEROX).

As subjects proceed to hover in suspension, a strange thing occurs: a tranquillity which overcomes any apparent pain resulting in deep satisfaction for those concerned. The interviewees - who, on the surface, all look exactly how you'd expect them to (heavily tattooed, lots of piercings, women with short hair, men with big beards etc) - are given ample space by Shenton to rise above their Jim Rose Sideshow-wannabe bravado and explain what it really is that attracts them to such an unconventional method of seeking inner peace.

For some, their reasoning is rooted in wishing to purge traumatic events from their past. Others, one female interviewee for example, simply believe the therapeutic calm brought on by this act will help her secure a decent job. Some here are just for the kicks!

Indeed, while also taking in participants in America, Norway and Croatia, Shenton's film not only details the activity of human suspension in a refreshingly impartial manner but - crucially - aims to explore the people behind it, their motivations and the benefits received.

This should be enough to quash any accusations of sensationalism or exploitation, as the subjects are afforded the opportunity to breathe humanity, humility even, into their back-stories. If you're left in any doubt as to the filmmaker's sincerity, however, Shenton should convince even the hardest cynic when she puts herself forward for a bit of suspension herself.

A pretty redhead, her sense of vulnerability is palpable as she's gently prepared for her experience by a bearded mentor. She cries, she trembles ... but ultimately she concedes that the act does bring with it some liberating reward.

From the off, this well-shot and smartly edited film doesn't shy away from documenting its theme in graphic fashion. If it's too much for you to stomach, you'll quickly know. If you do manage to endure the first 10 minutes of so, take solace in the fact that the amount of pierced and stretched flesh on offer means the shock does begin to wear off. Thankfully.

What we understand about this subculture after watching this 64-minute documentary in full is debatable. That there is more to wanting to be a part of this scene than mere body modification or the pursuit of pain, perhaps. Or that the participants are warm, intelligent individuals who definitely shouldn't be judged by their looks, maybe.

But these are surely facts that anyone with half an open mind will have already deduced. I fear that the people whose blinkered visions would benefit the most from watching this are not among the audience it's likely to either reach or attract.

Still, if you're looking for a serious, heartfelt documentary which focuses on a subject matter bound to offend the squeamish, look no further. Shenton does her job well.

This region-free DVD from MVD Visual presents ON TENDER HOOKS fully uncut and in its original ratio, which is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. The picture is sharp, well-contrasted and colourful - as you'd imagine any contemporary documentary shot on decent digital camera equipment to be.

English audio comes in a perfectly serviceable 2.0 mix: no quibbles, no cause to remark over its expert use of channelling. It does what it does without complaint.

Beyond the disc's static main menu page, we get a few decent extra features.

The first of these is an audio commentary track from Shenton. She elaborates on how she totalling financed the film by herself, what it was that fascinated her about the subject to begin with, and how she retains respect for the people she met. Most riveting is her talk-through of her own inauguration into the suspension process.

We also get a triptych of short features from the clearly talented director.

PIG is a surreal 90-second piece following Matt Fraser as he goes about his business in a suit and pig's mask, before running out to the wood and dancing naked. Odd. Oddly compelling.

GIMP meanwhile is a 7-minute black comedy in which the titular character (Damien Lloyd-Davies, also present in the disc's main feature) finds himself helplessly handcuffed to a radiator when his dominatrix suffers a domestic mishap. It's both stylish and funny.

Finally there's TURN OFF YOUR BLOODY PHONE, a 71-second Public Service Announcement shot by Shenton for FrightFest. It's a simple gag but well worth a look, and even features a cameo appearance from the aforementioned Pig.

ON TENDER HOOKS is most definitely not for everyone. But for those with the stomach for it, it's a well-balanced and sincerely intended look into a seldom-explored subculture.

Recommended.

Review by Stuart Willis