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.
Direction
Barney's self-cast triple role as diva, giant, and Houdini stand-in.
Production
Budapest's Gellért Baths transformed into biological cathedral.
Costume
Ursula Andress in chain-link gowns that weigh more than your car.
Director
Matthew Barney
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Barney filmed at the actual Gellért Baths in Budapest, the same location where Houdini's mother allegedly took him as a child.
The Cremaster cycle's reverse numerical order (4, 1, 5, 2, 3) mirrors biological development—this 'final' film is actually chronologically middle.
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