Jump (Hysterique Bourreé)

1984, 14:43 min, color, sound

Flaunting the burlesque theatricality of a surreal, post-punk cabaret, Jump is a wildly stylized collaboration between Atlas and French choreographer Philippe Découflé. Within the campy, self-conscious decadence of a French music hall milieu (lavishly sculpted and painted costumes, extravagant make-up, a drag band lip-synching La Vie en Rose,) Découflé's idiosyncratic, postmodern choreography is performed with elegant bravado. While Atlas' deft camera moves with unobtrusive nonchalance through this carnival, his arch, cinematically contrived narrative interjections and adroit video effects are ironic accomplices in this irreverent celebration of pure artifice.

Choreography: Philippe Decoufle. Music: Joseph Biscuit, The Residents. Produced by the Ministere de la Culture/OCTE T-Network.