Alain Lasfargues

This documentary about the life and work of filmmaker Jean Painlevé was originally presented in eight parts on French television. It was edited to remove duplicated material from its original length of 240 minutes.

In a fast-paced action film with an international backdrop, an unsuspecting Edith (Mireille Perrier) goes to Frankfurt to work for a German friend who is investigating some illegalities in the transportation industry. After Edith arrives, her friend leaves for Berlin, so Edith goes to stay at the house her friend shares with a second-generation German-Turkish woman. Meanwhile, Gordon (Bruce Thurman) is out photographing some journalists armed with video cameras who are spying on a wealthy honcho in the trucking business. He accidentally follows Edith and photographs her, then ends up saving her from some attackers. The dramatic action intensifies as questions arise about what certain trucks are carrying into Germany, what Edith's friend has to do with exposing the cargo on those trucks, and whether or not Edith will remain an unscathed, innocent by-stander.

Antoine is an accountant, uptight and withdrawn, married to Edith, who picks out his clothes and shoes. He's assigned to a fitness gymnasium for a month to straighten out their books. The owner, M. Roland, encourages Antoine to use the facilities, including the massages, so Antoine goes to Dominique, a muscular African. In these sessions, Antoine discovers that the pain is comforting, and Dominique finds the accountant ideal for his own sadism. When Dominique breaks Antoine's arm and then goes to the hospital to take Antoine away, Antoine confesses his fascination with and fear of death. With Dominique's help, the accountant breaks all earthly ties to confront his fear.

Jézabel, a worldly young woman, takes hold of Ariel, a shy and inexperienced young man, and leads him by hook or by crook through the wild side of Paris nightlife.

Avignon. Aix en Provence. A troupe of transvestites: “Les Mirabelles”. Four boys, one girl. Dab Germaine, Loulou Bonheur, Marie Bonheur, Nini Crépon, Hubert Lulu. A show. Daily life. Behind the scenes. Makeup. The cafe terrace. Friends, lovers, groupies. Success. The bides. Gay or straight? The two Gs. The clothes. The market. The parade. The Guerrillas: Queer in La Ciotat. A pianist. Talent. A column, and that's it.