Japan Society presents a rare sctreening of Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary, as part of the Monthly Classics series.
Best recognized outside of Japan for her role as the mesmerizing, katana-wielding Lady Snowblood, Meiko Kaji’s equally definitive portrayal of the fearless convict Sasori (Scorpion) initially cemented her status as an icon of 70s exploitation.
After a year in solitary confinement in a vicious women’s prison, Sasori has taken on a mythic stature among the prisoners. Escaping with an uncouth band of inmates, she leads the group while the prison’s sadistic guards follow in hot pursuit.
The second film in Toei’s Female Prisoner Scorpion series, Shunya Ito’s fever dream sequel is recognized as the series’ best entry, bolstered by avant-garde tinged visuals, delirious violence, a fuzzy guitar score and, of course, Meiko Kaji’s fierce, steely-eyed performance of rage and vengeance.
Best recognized outside of Japan for her role as the mesmerizing, katana-wielding Lady Snowblood, Meiko Kaji’s equally definitive portrayal of the fearless convict Sasori (Scorpion) initially cemented her status as an icon of 70s exploitation.
After a year in solitary confinement in a vicious women’s prison, Sasori has taken on a mythic stature among the prisoners. Escaping with an uncouth band of inmates, she leads the group while the prison’s sadistic guards follow in hot pursuit.
The second film in Toei’s Female Prisoner Scorpion series, Shunya Ito’s fever dream sequel is recognized as the series’ best entry, bolstered by avant-garde tinged visuals, delirious violence, a fuzzy guitar score and, of course, Meiko Kaji’s fierce, steely-eyed performance of rage and vengeance.
- 2/26/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
“Flowing , a woman’s tears pour out/
Softly floating on the river./
The river overflows/
Overflowing to the shore/
Overflowing, overflowing/
Drowning all the men.”
After the commercial success of the first movie, it was obvious Japanese production company Toei wanted a sequel to the “Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion”, a movie which not only manifested leading actress Meiko Kaji’s but also director Ito’s reputation among the Japanese film industry as well as audiences. The success was also proof Kaji’s and Ito’s approach to the role of Nami Matsushima nicknamed “Sasori” (scorpion) had been the right direction playing her in almost complete silence with only Kaji’s eyes doing most of the talking, a movie which would make the character iconic beyond the borders of Japan.
For Kaji, who was 25 at the time the second movie was filmed, the sequel was a blessing as well as a curse.
Softly floating on the river./
The river overflows/
Overflowing to the shore/
Overflowing, overflowing/
Drowning all the men.”
After the commercial success of the first movie, it was obvious Japanese production company Toei wanted a sequel to the “Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion”, a movie which not only manifested leading actress Meiko Kaji’s but also director Ito’s reputation among the Japanese film industry as well as audiences. The success was also proof Kaji’s and Ito’s approach to the role of Nami Matsushima nicknamed “Sasori” (scorpion) had been the right direction playing her in almost complete silence with only Kaji’s eyes doing most of the talking, a movie which would make the character iconic beyond the borders of Japan.
For Kaji, who was 25 at the time the second movie was filmed, the sequel was a blessing as well as a curse.
- 12/6/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
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