CREMASTER 5 is a five-act opera (sung in Hungarian) set in late-ninteenth century Budapest. The last film in the series, it 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.
Directed by Matthew Barney
short film
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Cast
Ursula Andress
Queen of Chain
Matthew Barney
Diva / Giant / Magician
Crew
Matthew Barney
Director
Matthew Barney
Writer
Matthew Barney
Producer
Gabriel Bartalos
Makeup Artist
Popular Reviews
6 reviews
Liberty
3.5★ · 06/02/25
Couldn’t see a thing, wrote 10 words of my assignment, had a squabble over opera, enough said
Couldn’t see a thing, wrote 10 words of my assignment, had a squabble over opera, enough said
