Cremaster 5

Overview

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.

Cast

Ursula Andress

Queen of Chain

Matthew Barney

Diva / Giant / Magician

N/A

Joanne Rha

Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite

N/A

Susan Rha

Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite

N/A

Amy Chiang

Fudor Sprite

N/A

Mei-Chiao Chiu

Fudor Sprite

N/A

Michelle Ingkavet

Fudor Sprite

N/A

Yoko Hyun

Fudor Sprite (as Yoko Kuroiwa)

N/A

Kim Nghiem

Fudor Sprite