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Marcatili
August 19th, 2004, 10:18 AM
I've looked around and I don't think there's a thread on this yet...

I just went and saw Cremaster 3, which is part of a series of films called The Cremaster Cycle which are written and directed by an artist named Matthew Barney (who also features as the main character of the story)

Cremaster 3 is mostly set in the Chrysler Building in New York, although it also has scenes based on Celtic Mythology and scenes shot in the Gugenheim Museum.

The film is fairly surreal and very symbolic- it has no dialogue but uses music, imagery, symoblism and sound to convey a story.
I won't say much about the story but you can read the interpretation on the website at http://www.cremaster.net

The film draws heavily from Masonic beliefs and rituals but also refers strongly to Irish culture in America, the legacy of Rockerfeller, the struggle toward transcendence through physical effort and labour, the struggle between the common man and the establishment...and so on...

The film crosses so many art mediums as well- particularly scultpure (with sets, costumes, and just straight out sculptures) photography (being that it's filmed...) but also the music, which is often integrated into the scene as though it is happening and being made by the characters and objects in the film. There is also some drawing in it...I guess there is theatre/performance art as well...and kinda cute but creepy dancing...


Personally I found it engaging- for once I've experienced some contemporary art that I can relate to on some level, rather than feeling frustrated by.

Anyway, check it out sometime if you're into art/film/surrealism...oh and if anyone else has seen it, what'dya think?

Duncan
September 17th, 2004, 04:00 PM
I read an article about Cremaster 3 in Wired and meant to watch it just from some of the stills included. Have yet to find it in my area but I haven't looked to hard but I would be interested to see others reaction to it before I run out and buy it.

Marcatili
September 18th, 2004, 12:22 PM
Hey Duncan,
I'd suggest you find out a bit more about it...personally I think it's worthwhile viewing but it's one of those things where you'd either like it or hate it...there's probably not much middle ground.
It's also pretty damn impossible to talk about due to the unconventional style of storytelling...
but before you shell out the dough, look into it a bit more

wes9000
September 18th, 2004, 01:09 PM
i've seen the whole Cremaster Cycle...
Cremaster 3 was my personal favorite. it was also the final one Barney completed, and definitely shows his progression as a filmmaker and aquisition of better technology and budget.
I really liked Cremaster 2 and Cremaster 5 alot as well...
theyre all worth seeing (and in the correct order.. 4,1,5,2,3) , but if you can see only one, see Cremaster 3.

There is a segment from Cremaster 3 out on DVD, but keep in mind its only the half hour interlude called "The Order". The whole 3 hour film is not included.

I do think though that, at times, the Cycle tries a little too hard to be as pretentious as possible...which sort of works at times due to the overall narrative and structure of the cycle. but in the end some of the time when youre watching it, it just feels like Barney is making commericals for his sculptures. Sculptures that show in galleries around the world and make him tons of money and allow him to impregnate Bjork. heh
I like most of the sculptures though. so all the best to him.

If you get a chance, check out the 500 page book thats was released as a sort of Cremaster Cycle Dictionary. Ive seen it at Borders before, so its not too hard to find. and i remember it selling for a great price on amazon. i think they also do a bundle deal of it and 'The Order' DVD.
It has tons and tons of photographs and writing about all the films...lots of really great stuff.

Marcatili
September 23rd, 2004, 10:34 AM
Thanks wes,
nice to know someone does know what i'm talking about.
I've never heard of Borders, I guess that's a bookshop chain in the US huh?
I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to track down anyway...

PaulGanguly
September 23rd, 2004, 01:16 PM
Amazon.com has the books, and oh yeah, this article is funny, and kinda of sad

Someone thinks that the cremaster cycle, being considered a work of fine art, stands as a precursor to video games being accepted into museums in the near future. here's the whole article (http://www.gamegirladvance.com/archives/2003/05/23/matthew_barney_versus_donkey_kong.html)

Anyway, I've never seen more than snippets of the whole work, but I'd like to track a rental down somewhere in my city, but the chances of them carrying that at your local blockbuster are pretty slim. Although they have been doing better with indy lately.