Poster for the movie Cremaster 5

Cremaster 5

1997 • 55 minutes
DramaMusic

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.

Picture of Ursula Andress

Ursula Andress

Queen of Chain

Picture of Matthew Barney

Matthew Barney

Diva / Giant / Magician

Picture of Joanne Rha

Joanne Rha

Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite

Picture of Susan Rha

Susan Rha

Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite

Picture of Amy Chiang

Amy Chiang

Fudor Sprite

Picture of Mei-Chiao Chiu

Mei-Chiao Chiu

Fudor Sprite

Picture of Michelle Ingkavet

Michelle Ingkavet

Fudor Sprite

Picture of Yoko Hyun

Yoko Hyun

Fudor Sprite (as Yoko Kuroiwa)

Picture of Kim Nghiem

Kim Nghiem

Fudor Sprite