Once seen, never forgotten, Clarke’s third feature is a classic.

Filmed over one night which generated 12 hours of footage, this candid interview with prostitute Jason Holliday is a unique and fascinating piece of filmmaking that many consider to be Clarke’s finest work.

Dressed in a smart shirt and blazer and wearing a large pair of spectacles, Jason’s external appearance is certainly deceptive. Such a conservative look does not begin to suggest the deep, rich and often shocking personality that Clarke recognised as the perfect subject matter. From his stays in prisons and psychiatric hospitals to his sexual exploits and his Mae West impressions, Holliday’s endlessly intriguing and entertaining monologue is the beating heart of Clarke’s intimate masterpiece.

Once again, Carl Lee was heavily involved. Jason himself was brought to Clarke’s attention through the former’s existing friendship with Lee, and throughout the film, the presence of both Lee and Clarke is apparent by design. They can be heard prompting and provoking Jason from off-camera, at one point driving him to tears. Indeed, as the reels run out, their voices continue to be heard over a blank screen, the audio having been left recording as the stock was being replaced. With her deliberate exposure of these technical limitations and external influences, Clarke imprints her indelible artistic signature through the film and provides a key factor in its undeniable power.

As he vividly recounts his colourful life and times, Jason Holliday is initially simply an endearing and entertaining subject. However, as his personality gradually begins to unravel Portrait of Jason becomes compulsive viewing. Slowly revealing deeper and deeper layers of this increasingly fascinating character, this hypnotic film blossoms into an unforgettable journey into the soul of an unforgettable man.