Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon reissued by Tristram

Kenneth Anger’s provocative exploration of Hollywood's hidden vices, 'Hollywood Babylon,' first released in 1959 by Pauvert, has been newly translated into French by Gwilym Tonnerre for Éditions Tristram. Anger finalized the book in 1965 and 1975 in the United States, detailing the scandalous lives of icons such as Murnau, Erich von Stroheim, Marlene Dietrich, and others. A trailblazer in underground cinema, Anger is also known for 'Scorpio Rising' (1963), which controversially highlighted themes of homosexuality and drug culture. This latest edition includes images from Anger's collection that depict the tragic destinies of Hollywood personalities—encompassing drugs, violence, and other dark themes. The narrative draws parallels to Dante's Inferno, revealing the deceit underpinning the American film industry, which was established by a select group of Jewish entrepreneurs seeking opportunity in California. The decline of Old Hollywood was accelerated by the advent of sound, the stock market crash, the Hays Code, and anti-communist efforts, culminating in events like Marilyn Monroe's suicide and the Sharon Tate killings. Additionally, Tristram presents Patti Smith's 'The Coral Sea,' translated by Jean-Paul Mourlon, as a contrasting work.