Cremaster 5

Cremaster 5 1997

6.7 19

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.

  • Released: 1997-10-24
  • Runtime: 55 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, Music
  • Stars: Ursula Andress, Joanne Rha, Susan Rha, Amy Chiang, Mei-Chiao Chiu, Michelle Ingkavet, Yoko Hyun, Kim Nghiem, Matthew Barney
  • Director: Matthew Barney