Pierre Molinier | The Legs of the Saint-Pierre Quarter

  • France
  • 2013
  • fr
  • en
  • 41'

In Bordeaux, in the mid-seventies, Molinier's lifeless body was found on his bed. This infamous erotic artist had already staged his own death twenty years previously when he photographed himself stretched out on the same bed. A free-spirited individual attracted to women's legs and stockings, he fascinated André Breton but offended a great many people in his day. Unveiled in the privacy of his bedroom, this mysterious character's work is revealed through his accessories, photomontages, voice and escapades.

Pierre Molinier | The Legs of the Saint-Pierre Quarter
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Synopsis

In Bordeaux, in the mid-seventies, Molinier's lifeless body was found on his bed. This infamous erotic artist had already staged his own death twenty years previously when he photographed himself stretched out on the same bed. A free-spirited individual attracted to women's legs and stockings, he fascinated André Breton but offended a great many people in his day. Unveiled in the privacy of his bedroom, this mysterious character's work is revealed through his accessories, photomontages, voice and escapades.

What you will find in this film

An investigation into the life and work of Pierre Molinier • The fetish-erotic photography of an original artist • A post-war erotic fantasy • Legs and Lace - Pierre Molinier's surrealist photomontages  • The artist's paintings as a continuation of his photographic work • The blurring of boundaries between the artist's work and life  • A game of eroticism and death • An art of transgression • The combination of autobiographical elements and his passion for the feminine • The artist's cross-dressing • A precursor to body art

Society teaches us many things, most of which make no sense. Good, evil… what counts is the pursuit of pleasure. I have made a career out of being myself."

Film chapters

summary00:00 Collages, the letter and freedom 

summary09:34 First camera shoot

summary18:59 Death and surrealism

summary30:34 Fetishism and women

summary36:42 Final staging

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Bibliography

Materiel used

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• PIERRE MOLINIER - author: Jean-Luc Mercier ; 2010 ; edited by Jean-Luc Mercier at Les presses du réel ; translation by Edward Penwarden

Mahogany bellows view camera • Copal lens • Slides and Ektachromes • Velox paper • Kodak Kodura paper • Agfa Brovira paper • Scissors • Glue • Sellotape