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