Le Petomane: Parti avec le vent

This short movie looks and feels big budget, but it isn't. The movie is loosely based on the incredible life of Joseph Pujol, Le Pétomane, who starred at the Moulin Rouge over a hundred years ago. I had read a book about Le Pétomane in the middle of the sixties and sometime after I met my wife in 1972, I must have told her about the book. When she read in a newspaper that it was going to be shown at the 2006 Los Angeles Shorts movie Festival, I had to go and she went too. She was prepared to dislike it, but she loved the movie. It has a quality the best movies have. I felt I was a part of the story and immersed in the sights, smells and sounds of France. When you get the chance, see it and be prepared to be charmed by this stranger than fiction movie which is so very well done.

Few people can claim to have more experience with farts (and related matter) than I. And of all the movies I've seen about farts (and related matter), this is by far one of the most professional and entertaining. The auteur clearly dedicated more intellectual effort than most people would expect the subject to warrant. But Le Petomane did indeed exist, and his life is relevant today. His was a name elevated to the pinnacle of society by his embrace of the lowbrow. Consider Howard Stern, or Trey Parker, or Johnny Knoxville -- do they have today the same thoughts and doubts as did Le Petomane a century ago? I know I do.

Dans les pets il y a la vérité!

-- Dave Praeger, editor, PoopReport.com

It's ironic that this film is about a man who is able to manipulate his flatulence. Because when it comes to farts and this film, despite the talent and effort involved, the end result is still a bunch of crap.

The other reviewers are either high, paid shills, friends and family of the filmmaker, or quite possibly all of the above.

It's clear that a considerable amount of creative effort and professional craft went into the production value of this film as the lighting, cinematography, costume design, etc are very impressive for such a small film. But that is where its value comes to a screeching halt. The story itself is neither funny nor compelling. The character of Le Petomane is worthy of perhaps a footnote or a minor story point in other films about the glory days of the Moulin Rouge but nothing more. He's just not that interesting or at least not in this film. The characters are caricatures, the dialogue is forced and the acting is amateurish; although the blame doesn't fall on the actors as much as it does the poor writing. The story about a man who farts on command and is able to make various animal noises and do tricks with his ass is really just a sophomoric joke that goes on for 29 minutes too long.

The production values are perfect (sound, picture, scenery, lighting,, etc.) The actors are excellent. The story is subtly hilarious. I didn't realize for a while that it was a comedy and when I did I roared with surprise. Taken from a true story, it seems unbelievable in its novelty, but that made it all the more fascinating. The costumes were marvelous. I hope to see more from this gifted writer-director-producer. At last something a little different. Without writing any spoilers, I will say that it touches on a subject that is universal to all of us, yet rarely spoken of in proper company. Viewed in a local small theater in Los Angeles, the audience was comprised of all ages, and all seemed to enjoy it equally.

This is a delightful and informative movie about a talented man woefully overlooked by history. It's beautifully filmed and well acted and scripted. If you like your humor on the sly side, then this is for you. I only had 2 disappointments with this film: #1 - not nearly long enough. I would've LOVED to have had this film follow this fascinating man (and his family & friends) for a much longer period of time. #2 - there were times that, because of the softness of the voices and the heavy french accents, that I missed some of the dialog. Subtitles would've helped. All in all, an entertaining, informative short and a nice way to spend your time.