Lazare Lazarus

On the shores of the Bouches-du-Rhône, two lovers film each other in the burning garrigue of the Mont Rose, a large limestone rock beaten by the sun, before reaching the Camargue, a salt-laden landscape, more deserted, made of windy dunes, shreds of riparian vegetation and swamps. Their journey ends at the lighthouse of Beauduc, isolated between the ponds and the sea, to test their desire.

On the Frioul Islands, two wandering friends confront the landscape. Among the gulls and agaves, on the burning limestone, they explore their desires.

Suspended in the summer, between agaves and succulents, we mate, hook up, masturbate in the mineral crevices of the limestone. Higher up, among pine trees and military relics, in the vapors of sap and sperm, there are boys on the prowl, ready to pounce. Others, sitting on viewpoints, watch the procession attentively.

In August 2022, a group of squatters entered an abandoned building in Marseille. Inside, they uncovered the forgotten remnants of Jean-Pierre’s life – hidden among decaying papers and neglected VHS tapes – a treasure trove of the Mineshaft founder’s archives. Piece by piece, they began to uncover a history of pleasure, transgression, and community. Guided by a voice-over, they navigated Jean-Pierre’s intimate space, uncovering a story of defiance and desire, preserved in the materials he left behind.

The crazy story of Mineshaft, a hardcore gay club that has been open in Marseille since 1967, with the presentation of a montage based on old BDSM porn VHS tapes. In the presence of the bar's managers, Marc and Angelo, and a number of regulars, this film recounts a genealogy of S&M images, opening up an exchange on the history of the place, and of hard sexuality through the generations in Marseille.