Stray Cat Rock: Beat '71
Unchained Melody: The Films of Meiko Kaji • 1h 26m
1971 • Japan • Directed by Toshiya Fujita
The Stray Cat Rock series stars Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood, Blind Woman’s Curse) who with these five films began her reign as the badass action queen of the era. In these five tales of rebellious youth she stars alongside the gorgeous Bunjaku Han (Love Letter) and Tatsuya Fuji (In the Realm of the Senses). The series swansong, Beat '71, sees Kaji framed and sent to prison by her boyfriend’s father and with the help of some hippies she strives to be re-united. Directed by genre veterans Yasuharu Hasebe (Female Prisoner Scorpion 701’s Grudge Song) and Toshiya Fujita (Lady Snowblood) the films feature a psychedelic mix of girl gangs, bikers, sex, drugs and rock and roll with plenty of ass-kicking to boot, all captured in a delirious mash up of pop aesthetics including split screens, freeze frames, injections of colour, frenetic editing and dizzying angles, making these films a riotous joy from beginning to end.
Up Next in Unchained Melody: The Films of Meiko Kaji
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Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion
1972 • Japan • Directed by Shun'ya Itô
After being used and betrayed by the detective she had fallen in love with, young Matsu is sent to a female prison full of sadistic guards and disobedient prisoners.
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Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41
1972 • Japan • Directed by Shun'ya Itô
After spending a year in solitary confinement, Matsu escapes from prison with six more convicts, followed by the guards who are led by a vengeful warden who wants her dead at all costs.
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Battles Without Honor and Humanity: H...
The celebrated Battles Without Honour and Humanity series continues with its second episode, Hiroshima Death Match, setting aside part one protagonist Shôzô Hirono (Bunta Sugawara) to follow a side story showcasing genre icons Sonny Chiba (The Street Fighter) and Meiko Kaji (Female Prisoner 701: ...
