Kenneth Anger - The Darth Vader of the film world.

Well, we know he's fond of a bit of leather.

Yeah, of course - "Scorpio Rising". That film still has one of my favourite pieces of musical uses, with "My Boyfriend's Back". Scorsese owes Anger a huge debt just for that, if nothing else.

The scene when DeNiro walks into the bar to the strains of Jumpin Jack Flash in Mean Streets is about as Scorpio Rising as you can get. Scorsese always namechecks Anger as a massive influence.

Well, it's good that Scorsese acknowledges that. I used to think that Marty S pretty much invented that usage of pop music in films, due to reading a lot of simplistic film articles and books.

Funnily enough, the last time I remember noticing a piece of music in a film was the usage of Beethoven's 6th Symphony in "Irreversible". It really helps to underpin the scene it's used in.

In the interview, Anger talks about messing around with films like "Rabbit Moon". I've seen a version of "RM" that has a truly terrible piece of faux-glam rock music in it. It pretty much ruined my experience of the film.

Yeah, I've seen that version too. Horrible.

But the fucker made Fireworks when he was 17! Think of that.

I know, and it was pretty explicit for the time too. Very brave film-making. For visuals alone, I still love "Eaux D'Artifice".

God, if you didn't know I was gay, the evidence would really be building up now.

Scorsese's good when it comes to acknowledging his influences. He also does a lot behind the scenes to raise the profile of people like Anger, Michael Powell and even studios like Hammer. A typical example are the numerous introductions he's provided for DVDs of often quite marginal films. He did one for The Creature of the Black Lagoon, explaining how he ripped it off for a scene in Cape Fear.

Scorsese's also been at the forefront of film restoration. He's one of those one-off guys who's not simply obsessed with film, his whole life is film and everything else filts around it. I can only admire such dedication to his art, even if I don't like some of the stuff he's put out.

At least you are. I don't even have THAT excuse. :)

The amazing thing is how few of his films are alike but how they all have something that makes them unmistakably his. Kustom Kar Kommandos and then Eaux D'Artifice. Totally different but somehow the same.

Yes, there's a coherent vision there that runs throughout his best work, both sexually charged and yet also almost androgynous at times too (c.f. "Invocation Of My Demon Brothers").

I know Anger though ubuweb videos and Scorsese's name-checking remarks in the past, so not tremendously well, but I am familiar.
Jimmy Page's unused "Lucifer Rising" score is pretty nuts.

atari2600 - try and check out as much as you can. It's all worth seeing.

I don't know. I've seen a few...Kustom Kar Kommandos, Scorpio Rising, Lucifer Rising & a bunch of others that were at ubu...& I can appreciate some of the diy mechanics and ideas, but...(trailing off)

check this out


Kenneth Anger been removed from ubuweb...
http://www.ubu.com/film/

The Anger Curse strikes again.

Yeah, that Jimmy Page score is bonkers. They've recently released two CDs of music that Bobby Beausoleil did for Lucifer Rising.

I know a lot of people don't like Lucifer... but its like an attempt to bring all of his work to some kind of a climax. That said, I think Invocation of My Demon Brother will always be my favourite. But I can honestly say that I love all of the Magick Lantern Cycle.

Yeah, dude's last name is fucking "Anger." haha

Next time I hear of a screening of Lucifer Rising, I'll go and check it out. Somehow, I feel that I should give it another look.

I have a feeling that his removal from the site has less to do with a supposed lack of money and more with his legendary control-freakary. He's notorious for filing lawsuits against anyone he thinks might be 'exploiting' him.

In constant rotation at the DR666 Picture House. Free tickets and a complimentary can of Kronenburg and box of Pringles on request. ;)