Kenneth Anger
Biography
Kenneth Anger was a male American filmmaker, born on February 3, 1927, in Santa Monica, California, USA. He is known for his work as a director, with a career spanning almost forty years, producing nearly seventy works, including the "Magick Lantern Cycle." His films often merge surrealism with homoeroticism and the occult, incorporating elements of erotica, documentary, psychodrama, and spectacle. Anger is considered one of the most influential independent filmmakers in cinema history, and one of America's first openly gay filmmakers. He passed away on May 11, 2023, at the age of 96.
Career overview
Kenneth Anger is a renowned American experimental filmmaker. He began producing short films in 1937 and went on to create nearly forty works throughout his career. Anger's films are notable for their unique blend of surrealism, homoeroticism, and the occult. His work has been described as containing elements of erotica, documentary, psychodrama, and spectacle.
Anger's films are often grouped together as the "Magick Lantern Cycle," which comprises nine of his notable works. This cycle has contributed significantly to his reputation as a pioneering independent filmmaker in cinema history. As one of America's first openly gay filmmakers, Anger's work has been recognized for its innovative and often provocative approach to storytelling.
Anger's career is marked by his dedication to experimental filmmaking, and his work continues to influence filmmakers and artists today. With a body of work spanning nearly seven decades, Anger has established himself as a significant figure in the world of underground cinema.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Kenneth Anger.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- 24 Hour Sunset (2023)
- Anton LaVey: Into the Devil's Den (2019) as Himself
- Cinemagician: Conversations with Kenneth Anger (2019)
- 72 Hours In André Balazs’ Chateau Marmont With Kenneth Anger (2018) as Self
- Mansfield 66/67 (2017) as Self
- The 1000 Eyes of Dr Maddin (2015)
- Satan Lives (2015) as Self
- Technicolor Skull (2014) Director
- Airships (2013) Director
- 42 One Dream Rush (2010) as Lucifer
- 42 One Dream Rush (2010) Director
- Missoni (2010) Director
- FLicKeR (2009) as Self
- Night of Pan (2009) as Lucifer
- Brush of Baphomet (2009) Director
- Uniform Attraction (2008) Director
- Ich will! (2008) Director
- Foreplay (2008) Director
- 365 Day Project (2007) as Self
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume One (2007)
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume One (2007) Director
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume One (2007) Writer
- My Surfing Lucifer (2007) Director
- I'll Be Watching You (2007) Director
- I'll Be Watching You (2007) Writer
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume Two (2007)
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume Two (2007) Writer
- The Films of Kenneth Anger: Volume Two (2007) Director
- Disinfo.Con (2007) as Self
- Elliott's Suicide (2007) Director
- Anger Me (2006) as Himself
- Notes on Marie Menken (2006) as Self
- Hedy Lamarr: Secrets of a Hollywood Star (2006)
- Mouse Heaven (2004) Director
- Anger Sees Red (2004) Writer
- Anger Sees Red (2004) Director
- Busby Berkeley: Going Through the Roof (2003) as Self
- The Spells of Kenneth Anger (2003) as himself
- Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (2002) as Self (uncredited)
- The Man We Want to Hang (2002) Director
- Rescued from the Closet (2001) as Self
- Don't Smoke That Cigarette (1999) Director
- SexTV (1998)
- A Spy in the House of Love (1998) as Himself
- The Beach Boys and The Satan (1997) as Self
- Birth of a Nation (1997) as Self
- Darryl F. Zanuck: 20th Century Filmmaker (1995) as Self
- Jonas in the Desert (1994) as Self
- Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood Babylon (1991) as Himself
- He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life (1986) as Self (archive footage)
- The Rolling Stones - The First 20 Years (1982) as Self
- Rabbit's Moon (1979) Director
- Senators in Bondage (1976) Director
- Senators in Bondage (1976) Writer
- Senators in Bondage (1976) Editor
- Senators in Bondage (1976) Producer
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) as Dreamer / Hecate / The Magick / The Magus
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) Director
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) Writer
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) Editor
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) Cinematography
- Magick Lantern Cycle (1974) Director of Photography
- Lucifer Rising (1974) as The Magus (uncredited)
- Lucifer Rising (1974) Director
- Lucifer Rising (1974) Editor
- Lucifer Rising (1974) Producer
- Look Back at Anger (1974) as Self
- Hollywood Babylon (1972) Book
- Rabbit's Moon (1971) Writer
- Rabbit's Moon (1971) Editor
- Rabbit's Moon (1971) Director
- Rabbit's Moon (1971) Director of Photography
- Langlois (1970) as Self
- Kenneth Anger: Film as Magical Ritual (1970) as Himself
- Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) as The Magick (uncredited)
- Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) Director
- Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) Writer
- Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) Editor
- Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) Director of Photography
- Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965) Writer
- Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965) Editor
- Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965) Director
- Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965) Director of Photography
- Scorpio Rising (1964) Director
- Scorpio Rising (1964) Director of Photography
- Scorpio Rising (1964) Writer
- Scorpio Rising (1964) Editor
- Arabesque for Kenneth Anger (1961)
- The Dead (1960)
- The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) as Hecate
- The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) Director
- The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) Writer
- The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) Director of Photography
- The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (1954) Editor
- Eaux d'Artifice (1953) Director
- Eaux d'Artifice (1953) Director of Photography
- Eaux d'Artifice (1953) Editor
- Eaux d'Artifice (1953) Producer
- Puce Moment (1949) Writer
- Puce Moment (1949) Director
- Puce Moment (1949) Producer
- Puce Moment (1949) Editor
- Fireworks (1947) as Dreamer (uncredited)
- Fireworks (1947) Director
- Fireworks (1947) Writer
- Fireworks (1947) Editor
- Escape Episode (1947) Director
- The Nest (1943) Director
- Prisoner of Mars (1942)
- Prisoner of Mars (1942) Director
- Prisoner of Mars (1942) Writer
- Tinsel Tree (1942) Director
- Who Has Been Rocking My Dreamboat (1941) Director
- Who Has Been Rocking My Dreamboat (1941) Writer