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: Oct 24, 1997
Runtime: 55 minutes
Stars: Ursula Andress, Matthew Barney, Joanne Rha, Susan Rha, Amy Chiang, Mei-Chiao Chiu
Crew: Matthew Barney (Writer), Matthew Barney (Director), Matthew Barney (Producer), Barbara Gladstone (Producer), Peter Strietmann (Director of Photography), Jonathan Bepler (Original Music Composer)