Fireworks (1947 film)
Encyclopedia
Fireworks is a homoerotic
experimental film
by Kenneth Anger
. Filmed in his parents' Beverly Hills, California
, home over a long weekend while they were away, the film stars Anger and explicitly explores themes of homosexuality
and sado-masochism. It is the earliest of his works to survive.
Anger synopsizes the film thus: "A dissatisfied dreamer awakes, goes out in the night seeking a `light' and is drawn through the needle's eye. A dream of a dream, he returns to bed less empty than before." Adding later, "This flick is all I have to say about being seventeen, the United States Navy, American Christmas, and the Fourth of July."
Anger was arrested on obscenity charges following the release of Fireworks. In 1958 a lawsuit was brought against the manager Raymond Rohauer
of L.A.'s Coronet Theatre
for screening Fireworks. The case became 'an epic obscenity trial' in the California Supreme Court which declared the film to be art.
Homoeroticism
Homoeroticism refers to the erotic attraction between members of the same sex, either male–male or female–female , most especially as it is depicted or manifested in the visual arts and literature. It can also be found in performative forms; from theatre to the theatricality of uniformed movements...
experimental film
Experimental film
Experimental film or experimental cinema is a type of cinema. Experimental film is an artistic practice relieving both of visual arts and cinema. Its origins can be found in European avant-garde movements of the twenties. Experimental cinema has built its history through the texts of theoreticians...
by Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger is an American underground experimental filmmaker, occasional actor and author...
. Filmed in his parents' Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
, home over a long weekend while they were away, the film stars Anger and explicitly explores themes of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and sado-masochism. It is the earliest of his works to survive.
Anger synopsizes the film thus: "A dissatisfied dreamer awakes, goes out in the night seeking a `light' and is drawn through the needle's eye. A dream of a dream, he returns to bed less empty than before." Adding later, "This flick is all I have to say about being seventeen, the United States Navy, American Christmas, and the Fourth of July."
Anger was arrested on obscenity charges following the release of Fireworks. In 1958 a lawsuit was brought against the manager Raymond Rohauer
Raymond Rohauer
Raymond Rohauer was an American film collector and distributor.Rohauer moved to California in 1942 and was educated at Los Angeles City College. Rohauer made a five-reel 16mm experimental film Whirlpool which was not successful. He subsequently became active in film exhibition at the Coronet...
of L.A.'s Coronet Theatre
Coronet Theatre
The Coronet Theatre is a longstanding Los Angeles theatre. Many Hollywood stars have played there, and it has been home to several important premiere productions. More than 300 plays have been produced at the Coronet. As of June 2008, the theatre is now Largo at the Coronet Theatre, an expansion...
for screening Fireworks. The case became 'an epic obscenity trial' in the California Supreme Court which declared the film to be art.