Meiko Kaji, Lady Scorpion

An intense gaze on an impassive face, Meiko Kaji was the Japanese incarnation of revenge and insubordination. We pay tribute to a magnetic icon of three visual splendours, blending cruelty with lyricism: the first two episodes of the epic Female Prisoner Scorpion and the feature film Lady Snowblood. This triplet of works had a major influence on Quentin Tarantino for Kill Bill. A Blu-ray box set of the Female Prisoner Scorpion saga will be released in the near future by Le Chat qui fume.

Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion by Shun’ya Ito (Joshu 701-go: Sasori, 1972, 1h27)
Betrayed by the man she loved and handed over to the yakuza, Matsu, "the scorpion", plots her ruthless revenge... The first part of the Female Prisoner Scorpion series, this visually impactful film stars Meiko Kaji, an icon admired by Quentin Tarantino.
Cinéma Opéra Sun16 5pm | Villa Lumière Tue18 9:15pm | Institut Lumière Fri21 midnight (Meiko Kaji All-nighter, 1st film)

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41 by Shun’ya Ito (Joshu sasori: Dai-41 zakkyo-bo, 1972, 1h29)
After being tortured, a group of women prisoners escape, led by Matsu, nicknamed "the scorpion"... Between a road-movie and an Italian western, this second instalment of the Female Prisoner Scorpion, led by Meiko Kaji, boasts a fiery atmosphere and captivating style.
Cinéma Opéra Mon17 7:15pm | Villa Lumière Thu20 10pm | Institut Lumière Fri21 midnight (Meiko Kaji All-nighter, 2nd film)

Lady Snowblood by Toshiya Fujita (Shurayuki-hime, 1973, 1h37)
Sayo becomes pregnant with the child of a bandit who raped her. Before she dies, she invokes a curse, that her child shall only live to avenge her... A tale of destiny and the price of revenge, the film oscillates between cruelty and beauty. With the intriguing Meiko Kaji.
Cinéma Opéra Tue18 9:45pm | Institut Lumière Fri21 midnight (Meiko Kaji All-Nighter, 3rd film) | Villa Lumière Sun23 4:45pm