Le petomane: Fin de siècle fartiste

Le Petomane is a one hour documentary about the life of French vaudeville performer Joseph Pujol. He performed his act for several years around the turn of the century, both in his own small theater and in the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris.

His act was based on his unique blend of talent and skill, which allowed him total control over his rectum, and he could play tunes, hold 'conversations' with his little buddy, play a flute and a trombone, and blow out stage lights all with air expelled from his intestines.

The documentary is made with a blend of scholarly insight and the layman's delight of farts in general. A doctor presents information on how Pojul did his act, his great grand son tells family lore about the man, historians and musicians comment, and all the while the screen is filled with delightful period films of other outrageous vaudeville acts and Pujol himself. This is a quality documentary, and the viewer might be confused into thinking if was made by Ken Burns; the style is the same.

This film can be hard to get, but is well worth the bother. Have your library do a search...that's how I found a copy to watch.

There is also a fine biography of the same name, available through Amazon or any bookstore.