The Films of Kenneth Anger: Vol.1 (1954)
3.7 of 5 from 46 ratings
1h 30min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Fireworks (1949)
A wordless film, save for a voice-over introducing us to the imagery of dreams. A shirtless young man dreams of awakening to finds photographs of a muscular sailor carrying him in his arms. He goes to a bar where the sailor from his dream displays his muscular upper torso. A gang of sailors, swinging chains, enters menacingly. He watches, smoking. They surround him and an assault begins. Surreal touches accent the dream-like qualities. A phallic firework, a flaming Christmas tree, and the burning photographs provide climax and closure as the young man, back in bed, is beside the sailor.
Puce Moment (1949)A soundtrack plays folk rock as a woman prepares, at noon, to take her Borzois for a walk. She goes through her dresses, all 1920s style flapper gowns, holding them one at a time, shaking them as if they are dancing. She picks one - in puce. She puts it on, delighted, adds perfume, languishes on a chaise for a few minutes, then goes for her walk. It all has a 20s feel.
Rabbit's Moon (1950)
Pierrot waxes romantic, entranced by the moon. Harlequin appears and bullies him, then uses a magic lantern to project an image of Columbine. Pierrot tries to court the illusory Columbine unsuccessfully, then enters a mystical moon-realm from which he returns dead.
Eaux d'Artifice (1953)
A man dressed in an elegant period dress wanders through the water gardens at the Villa d'Este.
Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954)
A Slavonic Mass by Leos Janácek plays as historical figures, biblical characters, and mythical creatures gather in the pleasure dome. Aphrodite, Lilith, Isis, Kali, Astarte, Nero, Pan, and the Great Beast and the Scarlet Woman are part of a visual feast of images superimposed, hallucinations, and the spirit of decadence of the "Yellow '90s." Mythological images from Aleister Crowley, cabalistic symbols, artifice, and magic combine to render the pleasure dome both as prison and as celebration.- Actors:
- Samson De Brier, Marjorie Cameron, Joan Whitney, Katy Kadell, Renate Druks, Anaïs Nin, Paul Mathison, Curtis Harrington, Kenneth Anger, Peter Loome
- Directors:
- Kenneth Anger
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Horror, Lesbian & Gay, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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