𝔏𝔲𝔠𝔦𝔣𝔢𝔯𝔰 ℭ𝔥𝔬𝔰𝔢𝔫 𝔒𝔫𝔢: 𝔎𝔢𝔫𝔫𝔢𝔱𝔥 𝔄𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟕-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

Lucifer's Chosen One: Kenneth Anger.Kenneth Anger, an American underground filmmaker, author, and occultist, is renowned for his magick-inspired creations that combine experimental film techniques, mysticism, and a deep fascination. Born on February 3, 1927, in Santa Monica, California, Anger developed a passion for cinema early in life and started producing films during his teenage years. He delved into subjects such as sexuality (particularly homosexuality), violence, and the occult, often challenging the norms of traditional filmmaking. His artistic vision was significantly shaped by his admiration for Aleister Crowley, an occultist and ceremonial magician known as "The Wickedest Man Alive" and "The Beast 666".

During the 1950s, Anger rose to fame through his short film "Fireworks" (1947), which delved into themes of homoerotic desire and violence, establishing itself as a seminal work within the underground cinema movement and shaping his future artistic endeavors. Personally, I have drawn significant inspiration from Anger's oeuvre and life, amassing a collection of memorabilia over the years, including 'The Magick Lantern' DVD, the scandalous tome 'Hollywood Babylon,' a backpatch featuring the iconic 'Lucifer Rising' imagery, Jimmy Page's 'Lucifer Rising' LP, and a vintage store find - a booklet detailing Anger's work. Anger's filmography and discography showcase his distinct style and daring narrative approach. Now, let's delve into some of my preferred pieces by Anger:

Discography of Kenneth Anger:

"Fireworks" (1947) is a visually striking and provocative examination of suppressed desires and homoeroticism, eliciting feelings of frustration, anger, and yearning. This film stands out as the inaugural openly homosexual horror movie, portraying the loneliness experienced by a young man grappling with his homosexual inclinations and the potential for these feelings to manifest as violence due to the societal stigma that 'homosexuality is wrong', a notion that, while absurd, continues to persist in today's world.

"Eaux d'Artifice" (1953) is a poetic and dreamlike movie set in the gardens of the Villa d'Este in Italy. Through its surreal visuals and captivating music, the film evokes a feeling of melancholy and mystery.

"Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome" (1954) is an experimental film that draws inspiration from Crowley's writings and rituals. It utilizes vibrant colors, eccentric costumes, and symbolic visuals to craft a mesmerizing and surreal experience. The film features prominent occult personalities such as Marjorie Cameron portraying Kali, The Scarlet Woman. While Cameron was an occultist in her own right, she is best known for her association with Jack Parsons, a key figure in both the occult and scientific realms. Parsons' significant contributions to rocket fuel technology were instrumental in the moon landing. Samson De Brier, another noted occultist and LGBTQ+ figure, also appears in the film, further enriching its mystical allure.

"Invocation of My Demon Brother" (1969) is characterized by a hypnotic soundtrack by Mick Jagger and explores occult rituals, countercultural themes, and the tumultuous backdrop of the late 1960s. While some find the film's atmosphere intense and unsettling, others, including myself, consider it Kenneth Anger's finest work. The piece is rich in Satanic imagery and serves as a precursor to Anger's most renowned creation, "Lucifer Rising." The film features iconic occult figures like Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, known for the song "Sympathy for the Devil," Anton Lavey portraying the devil, and Bobby Beausoleil, later associated with the infamous "Manson Family" led by Charles Manson.

"Lucifer Rising" (1980) is a visually striking and monumental piece of work that took nearly ten years to finish. It delves into themes of mythology, spirituality, and the emergence of the Antichrist, hence the title 'Lucifer Rising'. The film demonstrates Anger's expertise in symbolism and his talent for crafting a captivating visual narrative, which is the hallmark of his career. As expected, Anger's most renowned work guides us through the history of 'Magick'. One actor, in an interview about 'Lucifer Rising,' remarked that Kenneth embodied the alluring beauty of Lucifer, suggesting that Anger saw himself as the epitome of Lucifer, even going as far as getting Lucifer's name tattooed across his chest. The famous 'Lucifer' back piece displays a spectrum of colors from each letter of the name, symbolizing light as a combination of all colors. This iconic visual representation underscores Anger's creative vision. The entire mythology surrounding 'Lucifer Rising' is truly extraordinary. For instance, after a dispute with director Kenneth Anger, Bobby Beausoleil, who was also Anger's former partner, impulsively stole a van following a film shoot. Unfortunately, the van broke down near Charles Manson's ranch and The Manson Family. Beausoleil was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, initially facing the death penalty for his involvement in the Manson incidents. However, his death sentence was later overturned. Despite minimal communication between Anger and Beausoleil over the years, Anger declined a soundtrack offer from Jimmy Page for 'Lucifer Rising' and instead approached Beausoleil, who was still in prison, to compose the final score, which ultimately became the film's soundtrack.

For a fantastic in depth piece about the film please see https://pleasuresofpasttimes.com/kenneth-anger-lucifer-rising-1966-1981/ the stories are almost unbelievable.

*2 Collages of film Below: by Brian Bulter.

"The Brush of Baphomet" (2009): A short of Crowleys Paintings, choosing the focused elements which express occult interest.

Anger's movies are frequently paired with meticulously selected soundtracks, enhancing the overall impact of his creations. He has worked together with well-known musicians like Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and Bobby Beausoleil, all of whom have ties to the occult in some way. A noteworthy anecdote involves my father working for Jimmy Page on a few occasions and locking my brother inside Page's ritual room, causing such a fright that my brother refused to return to the job. When I inquired about the contents of the room, my father, in his distinct northern English accent, described a scene with a large round table adorned with the star symbol commonly associated with the occult, as well as a skeleton adorned with various symbols, much to my brother's dismay. One can only speculate on the intriguing ritual paraphernalia that someone like Page might possess. Allegedly, Page even sought my father's opinion on some musical pieces he was working on, to which my father, unaware of Page's identity, humorously commented that if Page continued creating music of that caliber, he would one day top the charts, all while admiring Page's gold records on the wall. This amusing anecdote highlights my father's unwitting interaction with Page, showcasing a humorous twist of fate.

Throughout his career, Kenneth Anger has consistently pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, immersing viewers in a world where dreams and nightmares intertwine. His films remain a source of inspiration and provocation for filmmakers, artists, and those interested in the occult, establishing him as a significant figure in avant-garde cinema and occult-influenced art. One noteworthy film by occultist Carl Abrahamsson is CINEMAGICIAN, an interview between two occultists on film that comes highly recommended. Having engaged with Abrahamsson online, I have a deep appreciation for occultists who embody both humility and kindness. Anger's impact on me is undeniable, although I have heard conflicting opinions about him through casual conversations over the years. There are few Satanic, Luciferian, or Thelemic homosexual artists whom I can turn to for guidance in my personal and artistic endeavors. The interview and visuals in the attached link are truly remarkable. Although Anger's absence will be strange, his fascinating and inspiring life will continue to influence me, and I anticipate writing more about him in the future.

In this blog post, I have mentioned my father's minor involvement with the occult. This is not the only connection between my father and the subject of this article. Unfortunately, I have learned that my father has a terminal illness. I am sharing this with my close friends who read this blog. While I have already informed some people about this news, this will be the last time I address it. My father has a cheerful personality, he enjoys making others smile, and he has a playful and light-hearted nature. In the realm of the occult, the fool symbolizes the highest state of being. This situation has led me on a personal journey, but through various experiences and rituals, I have come to the realization that my role now is to care for both my father and mother as they approach this difficult time. I will share with them my inherent protective foolishness, my calming presence, and my positive chaotic energy.

While Kenneth Anger will be remembered for his artistic contributions by those who find inspiration in his work, my father will be remembered for his kind, humorous, and affectionate personality. Although death is inevitable for everyone, the legacies of these two remarkable individuals motivate me to embrace life to the fullest.