The Films of Kenneth Anger, Vol. 2 (2007)

The Most Influential Filmmaker You've Never Heard Of

To the general public Kenneth Anger (born Kenneth Anglemyer in 1927 California) is probably best known for the book HOLLYWOOD BABLYON, which chronicles the less savory side of America's favorite "golden age" stars. But in fine arts circles Anger is best known for short films that mix lushly beautiful imagery with an often unsettling atmosphere--and while they have been seldom seen outside art house theatres and colleges, they have extremely influential over the years. Until quite recently the only way to see an Anger film was on the big screen or in really bad video tape transfers. Fortunately, UCLA has restored many of Anger's films and they are now available in near-pristine condition on DVD.

THE FILMS OF KENNETH ANGER VOLUME II contains five restored Anger films: RABBIT'S MOON (1959; 1979 version), SCORPIO RISING (1963), KUSTOM KAR KOMMANDOS (1965), INVOCATION OF MY DEMON BROTHER (1969), and LUCIFER RISING (1970-1980); it also includes the unrestored THE MAN WE WANT TO HANG (1995-2002.) Although each film is quite different, each is similar in that it mixes remarkable images to poetic effect against a highly variable soundtrack--a fact that has made many refer to Anger as "the father of the music video." As the films progress they also tend to acquire a faintly claustrophobic, vaguely creepy quality in a way that is extremely difficult to define.

A longer cut of RABBIT'S MOON appears on THE FILMS OF KENNETH ANGER VOL. 1; Anger cut the film in several different ways at different points in his career, and many regard the much shorter 1979 cut included here as superior to all other versions. Although the longer version has its charms, I would agree with this; the film seems to work best at this length. THE MAN WE WANT TO HANG is essentially a video recording of an exhibition of art by Aleister Crowley; it is interesting only to the extent that one may be interested Crowley, offering nothing of Anger's own personal vision.

Of the remaining films, the best known is easily SCORPIO RISING, a film that slants Brooklyn bikers into a mixture of homoeroticism, fetishism, and Christian blasphemy. Like most Anger films, the impact relies on the juxtaposition of images and music, and the film builds to a highly unsettling collage in an abandoned church. KUSTOM KAR KOMMANDOS is similar in the sense that it mingles homoeroticism and fetishism, but although interesting in its own way it lacks the same impact. And then there is the infamous LUCIFER RISING.

Running just under half an hour, LUCIFER RISING is the longest film on the disk and easily the most glossy in terms of camera work (Anger notes that it was his most expensive film); it is also notorious for its use of Marianne Faithful as a performer, its Aleister Crowley-inflected attitude toward the occult, and the soundtrack supplied by Bobby Beausoleil--an associate of Charles Manson and a convicted murderer. And yet for all its notoriety, the film is actually among Anger's least interesting works, a slow repetition of images that I found unimpressive and to no particular point.

Anger is not a filmmaker for everyone. His films are essentially dreamscapes that acquire impact through the repetition and variation of images; there are no "stories," no dialogue, nothing but the visual fused with music. But for those who have an eye for such, he is a remarkable artist. The DVD contains the bonus of an audio track by Anger himself, which is sometimes fascinating and sometimes frustrating---much like the films themselves. Recommended, although I have to give THE FILMS OF KENNETH ANGER VOL. 1 an edge on the follow-up VOL. 2.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer October 22, 2008

Fantastic!

Kenneth Anger is truly a cinematic magus and I was very grateful to finally complete my collection of his most renowned films, looking more lovely now than they probably ever have. They are life-changing in their surreal intricate beauty, treasuries of one man's irreplaceable imagination. I hope to enjoy them for years to come. March 29, 2008

NICE!

First off I would just like to say, that the packaging for this DVD is excellent. For a low price the DVD package includes a 5o page booklet with pictures and commentary for each film.

Scorpio Rising- killer classic greaser footage captured right down to the engineer boots and leather. Lots of style and symbols are captured.

Invocation of My Demon Brother- Ground breaking film work here. The sound track is creepy too. Psychedelic Hell.

Lucifer Rising- very beautiful music as well as imagery. Probably Angers best work.


March 26, 2008

The Films of Kenneth Anger, Vol. 2

The short films in this collection may have at one time been cool or interesting, however, I consider this purchase a complete waste. The visuals are of simple or stereotype images/characters and there is nothing cinematographically interesting -- not at all. I don't get it. Don't throw your money away on it. February 24, 2008

Rising Anger

Depending on whom you ask, the name "Kenneth Anger" conjures up any number of reactions. The author of the notorious "Hollywood Babylon". A devoted disciple of Aleister Crowley. A man who counts Dennis Hopper, Jimmy Page and former Manson family associate Bobby BeauSoleil amongst his friends. A provocative and influential film director. "Kenneth who!?" This collection covers the latter part (1964-2002) of the underground raconteur's astounding, nearly 60-year long career in avant-garde filmmaking. You may not know the name, but you've likely felt the influence. Watch 1964's legendary short "Scorpio Rising" back to back with Martin Scorcese's "Mean Streets" (just for starters) and you'll see what I'm talking about. Fantoma's handsome presentation features a nice booklet with essays from admirers Scorcese, Guy Maddin and Gus Van Sant, as well as wonderfully droll and enlightening commentary from the 75 year old (but still sharp as a tack) Anger. Essential viewing. February 15, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...