Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion and Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 may not be straight-ahead horror films, but these thrillers are infused with fear-fare elements aplenty. These films and others screen as part of Japan Society’s film series Meiko Kaji: A Retrospective, a focus on the cult actress featuring her first public New York appearance in over 40 years — running March 27–April 4. Following are retrospective series descriptions of the films from the official press announcement, after my spoiler-free thoughts in italics.
For complete information, visit japansociety.org. Tickets are available now.
Review
The first two entries in the Female Prisoner Scorpion series with star Meiko Kaji and director Shunya Itô are wild, wonderfully bizarre, and thoroughly violent genre entertainment. This is 1970s Japanese exploitation filmmaking at its height, with unexpected arthouse flourishes, to boot. These films focus on Kaji’s near-silent avenger Nami Matsushima, imprisoned for an attack on her law enforcement lover who double-crossed her in an unspeakable manner; her sadistic treatment at the hands of a corrupt, double-dealing prison warden and his staff; and the fellow inmates who either revere or hate her.
Often lit and framed like scare-fare movies, the films boast horror set pieces. For example, in the first film, a scene with broken glass as a weapon finds one of the combatants suddenly appearing as a demonic madwoman (if eye trauma bothers you, fair warning here), and the sequel introduces supernatural elements into the mix. The two main female foes in each film both display classic kabuki villain qualities, as well.
Violence, plentiful bloodshed, sadism, and practical gore effect makeup work abounds. The savage sequences are decidedly rough: there is at least one rape scene in each film, copious amounts of cruelty to women and the comeuppance on their male attackers are main features, animal lovers should be aware that dogs are not safe from the brutality on display, and a child is thrown about in another shocking set piece.
Among all of the carnage and chaos, Itô surprisingly and seamlessly weaves in moments of both beauty and interesting directorial choices. For example, Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 boasts an unexpected use of gorgeous color with leaves and wind storm, and in other scenes sudden moments of complete silence work to emphasize the action.
At the center of these two films are the incredible performances of Kaji’s portrayal of Matsushima. Her cold-as-ice stare in these movies is legendary, and for good reason. But that is just part of the magnificent acting she does using just her face and body language for the majority of the running times.
Genre film devotees who like their fare gritty, harrowing, and controversial will find plenty to appease their appetites with Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion and Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41.
Film Descriptions
Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
『女囚701号/さそり』(Joshu Nana-maru-ichi Go / Sasori)
Saturday, March 28 at 3:00 PM
Dir. Shunya Ito, 1972, 87 min., DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Meiko Kaji, Isao Natsuyagi, Fumio Watanabe.
The state is perverted, violent and predatory in Shunya Ito’s claustrophobic debut, a reworked adaptation of Toru Shinohara’s manga Sasori. Confined within a women’s prison populated by sadistic, leering guards and volatile inmates, Meiko Kaji’s Nami radiates a simmering, unspoken rage in what would become her defining role at Toei — spawning three sequels over the next year. Ito fixes his gaze on the unrepentant viciousness of society, its structural oppressions refracted through the cellblock’s own microcosm. With bursts of expressionist set pieces, gratuitous violence, and Kaji’s dagger-eyed silent avenger, Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion stands out as a cornerstone of ‘70s exploitation cinema.
Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
『女囚さそり/第41雑居房』(Joshu Sasori Dai 41 Zakkyobou)
Saturday, March 28 at 5:00 PM
Dir. Shunya Ito, 1972, 90 min., 35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles. With Meiko Kaji, Fumio Watanabe, Kayoko Shiraishi.
Archival 35mm Presentation; Introduction and Q&A with Meiko Kaji. 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.
Meiko Kaji featured image artwork © Tony Stella
