“Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome” is a short avant-garde film directed by Kenneth Anger in 1954. The film vividly explores mythological, historical, and occult figures engaging in ritualistic and hedonistic ceremonies. Anger drew inspiration from Aleister Crowley’s Thelemic philosophies and a Halloween party-themed “Come as your Madness,” hosted by artist Renate Druks.
The film features a cast of Anger’s contemporaries, each embodying various deities and symbolic figures: Samson De Brier Portrays multiple roles, including Lord Shiva, Osiris, Roman Emperor Nero, the alchemist Alessandro Cagliostro, and Aleister Crowley (referred to as “The Great Beast 666”).
Marjorie Cameron appears as The Scarlet Woman and the Hindu goddess Kali. Anaïs Nin: The renowned writer takes on the role of Astarte, the ancient Semitic goddess associated with fertility and sexuality.
Joan Whitney: Plays Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Katy Kadell: Embodies Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood. Renate Druks: Portrays Lilith, a figure from Jewish mythology often associated with night and seduction.
Curtis Harrington: Assumes the character of Cesare, the somnambulist, inspired by the sleepwalker from “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.” Kenneth Anger appears as Hecate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft and the crossroads.
Paul Mathison Plays Pan, the Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks, and Peter Loomer Portrays Ganymede, a divine hero from Greek mythology.
The film is renowned for its rich, superimposed imagery and vibrant use of color, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that immerses the audience in a surreal, mystical experience set to the music of Leoš Janáček’s “Glagolitic Mass.”
The Other Cinema 