How Kenneth Anger built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kenneth Anger was an influential American experimental filmmaker known for his short films, particularly the "Magick Lantern Cycle." His work blends surrealism, homoeroticism, and occult themes, often incorporating elements of erotica, documentary, and psychodrama. As one of America's first openly gay filmmakers, Anger's films challenged social norms and explored sexuality before its widespread acceptance. His fascination with Aleister Crowley and Thelema deeply influenced his cinematic style and subject matter.
In 1937, Kenneth Anger started working on films. That year he created his first short film, marking the beginning of his career as a filmmaker.
In 1937, at age ten, Anger created his first film, "Ferdinand the Bull", using leftover 16mm film from family vacations.
In 1941, Anger created "Who Has Been Rocking My Dreamboat," which he often called his first proper film, at the age of 14.
In 1947, Kenneth Anger created the short film "Fireworks", dealing with his sexuality.
In 1948, the film "Fireworks" was exhibited publicly, marking a significant moment in Anger's career and his exploration of controversial themes.
In 1949, Anger started work on "Puce Women" and directed "The Love That Whirls", but the latter was destroyed due to its obscene content.
In 1949, Fireworks was shown at Festival du Film Maudit in Biarritz.
In 1953, Anger produced the short film "Eaux d'Artifice," inspired by the European avant-garde scene, marking a shift in his artistic direction.
In 1954, Anger created "Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome," a surrealist film featuring Thelemite themes.
In 1955, Kenneth Anger and Alfred Kinsey traveled to Cefalù, Sicily, to film a documentary titled Thelema Abbey. The documentary, which was made for British television, documented Anger restoring wall paintings and performing Crowleyan rituals at the Abbey of Thelema.
In 1958, Anger exhibited "Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome" at various European film festivals and Expo 58, gaining recognition.
In 1961, Kenneth Anger returned to the U.S. and began working on Scorpio Rising, a film exploring the biker subculture with controversial visuals and a soundtrack of popular 1960s songs.
In 1964, Anger released "Scorpio Rising", a film known for its blending of surrealism and homoeroticism.
In 1965, Anger released "Kustom Kar Kommandos" and the gossip book "Hollywood Babylon". The latter became infamous for its sensational claims.
In 1966, Kenneth Anger moved into the William Westerfeld House in San Francisco and began planning his film Lucifer Rising, based on Thelemite beliefs. He searched for someone to play Lucifer and met Bobby Beausoleil.
In 1966, Kenneth Anger released the "Sacred Mushroom Edition" of Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome, screened to people taking LSD to enhance their sensory experience. Also in 1966, Anger became well known in the American underground scene.
In 1967, Anger burned much of his previous film work, marking a significant moment in his artistic development.
In 1969, Anger involved countercultural figures in "Invocation of My Demon Brother", exploring Thelema-themed works.
In 1970, Anger retrieved footage and finally completed and released the film Rabbit's Moon.
In 1971, Kenneth Anger released the short film "Rabbit's Moon", further exploring avant-garde themes.
In 1972, Anger produced "Lucifer Rising", continuing his exploration of occult themes.
In 1972, Kenneth Anger released the footage he had filmed for Rabbit's Moon in the 1950s.
In 1979, Kenneth Anger re-released a shorter version of Rabbit's Moon and added a new soundtrack to Puce Moment before rereleasing it.
In 1981, Kenneth Anger released Lucifer Rising, a 30-minute film based on Thelemite concepts, featuring occult symbolism and starring Miriam Gibril, Donald Cammell, Marianne Faithfull, and Leslie Huggins.
In 1984, Anger focused on "Hollywood Babylon II" after struggling to produce a sequel to Lucifer Rising.
In 1986, Kenneth Anger sold the video rights to his films, allowing them to be released on VHS and gain greater publicity.
In 1993, Kenneth Anger visited Sydney, lectured at a season of his films at the Australian Film Institute Cinema, and worked on a final treatment for a feature film about Rosaleen Norton.
In 2000, Kenneth Anger began screening a new short film, the anti-smoking Don't Smoke That Cigarette.
In 2004, Kenneth Anger began showing two short surrealistic films: Anger Sees Red, starring himself, and Patriotic Penis.
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