Visionary artist Matthew Barney returns to cinema with this 3-part epic, a radical reinvention of Norman Mailer’s novel Ancient Evenings. In collaboration with composer Jonathan Bepler, Barney combines traditional modes of narrative cinema with filmed elements of performance, sculpture, and opera, reconstructing Mailer’s hypersexual story of Egyptian gods and the seven stages of reincarnation, alongside the rise and fall of the American car industry.
Chief Dave Beautiful Bald Eagle
Norman III
Milford Graves
Norman II
John Buffalo Mailer
Norman I
Ellen Burstyn
Hathfertiti
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Hathfertiti
Madyn G. Coakly
Hathfertiti
Paul Giamatti
Ptah-Nem-Hotep
Joan La Barbara
The Widow of Norman
Stephen Payne
Usermare
Aimee Mullins
The Ka of Norman / Isis
Matthew Barney
The Ka of Norman / Osiris: James Lee Byers
Jennie Knaggs
Nephthys
Herbert Perry
Set
Eugene Perry
Set
Brennan Hall
Horus
Shara Nova
Lieutenant Worden
Elaine Stritch
Eulogist
Lila Downs
Ranchera Singer
Lila Downs
Priest / REN Manager
Debbie Harry
Singing Wake Guest
Terrell Howard
R&B Singer
Belita Woods
Blues Singer
Bobbi Starr
Garage Manager
David Amram
Wake Guest
Suzanne Bertish
Wake Guest
Dick Cavett
Wake Guest
Jeffrey Eugenides
Wake Guest
Fran Lebowitz
Wake Guest
Cinqué Lee
Wake Guest
Larry Holmes
Wake Guest
Jonas Mekas
Wake Guest
Salman Rushdie
Wake Guest
Lucy Sante
Wake Guest
James Toback
Wake Guest
Lawrence Weiner
Wake Guest
Zeena Parkins
Wake Ensemble
Art Baron
Wake Ensemble
Director, Writer
Matthew Barney
December 31, 2023
8
Its not shit. See it if you can. The whole thing is quite long but there is always something new to look at. Some scenes run long, but I suspect this is expected, perhaps intentional. I didn't love it all, but plan to re-watch some time in the future and see if the parts i liked and disliked swap places. Lots of themes going on, can probably write endlessly on this movie. Some of the best cow drumming I have ever seen.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$5,000,000.00
Revenue:
$44,840.00