
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.

Ursula Andress
Queen of Chain

Matthew Barney
Diva / Giant / Magician
Joanne Rha
Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite
Susan Rha
Queen's Usher / Fudor Sprite
Amy Chiang
Fudor Sprite
Mei-Chiao Chiu
Fudor Sprite
Michelle Ingkavet
Fudor Sprite
Yoko Hyun
Fudor Sprite (as Yoko Kuroiwa)
Kim Nghiem
Fudor Sprite

The War Game
The War Game

Without Your Love
Without Your Love

Henry's Hand
Henry's Hand

Antoine and Colette
Antoine and Colette

All Star Melody Masters
All Star Melody Masters

Dreams Come True
Dreams Come True

Bhed Bakri Bhoot
Bhed Bakri Bhoot

Wild Youth
Wild Youth

Rumi
Rumi
Ceremony
Ceremony

Clothes & Blow
Clothes & Blow

We Used To Live Here
We Used To Live Here