Cremaster 5

Cremaster 5

Drama|

Music|

6/10

Cremaster 5 is a five-act opera (sung in Hungarian) set in late-ninteenth century Budapest. The last film in the series, Cremaster 5 represents the moment when the testicles are finally released and sexual differentiation is fully attained. The lamenting tone of the opera suggests that Barney invisions this as a moment of tragedy and loss. The primary character is the Queen of Chain (played by Ursula Andress). Barney, himself, plays three characters who appear in the mind of the Queen: her Diva, Magician, and Giant. The Magician is a stand-in for Harry Houdini, who was born in Budapest in 1874 and appears as a recurring character in the Cremaster cycle.

Ursula Andress

Matthew Barney

Joanne Rha

Susan Rha

Amy Chiang

Mei-Chiao Chiu

Michelle Ingkavet

Yoko Hyun

Kim Nghiem