A breakout star of hyperviolent motion films within the early Nineteen Seventies, Meiko Kaji is finest recognized for Toei’s “Sasori” (“Scorpion”) collection, enjoying the eponymous laser-eyed feminine convict out for revenge towards the lads who betray, abuse and torture her. Although she has largely been absent from the large display screen for many years, the actor retains a fervent cult following within the West.
One distinguished fan is Quentin Tarantino, who closely references her movies, particularly the 1973 revenge drama “Girl Snowblood,” in his “Kill Invoice” duology, launched in 2003 and 2004. Along with modeling Uma Thurman’s take-no-prisoners protagonist on Kaji’s character in “Kill Invoice: Quantity 1,” he lifts a climactic battle scene virtually move-for-move and shot-for-shot.
Tarantino additionally used two hit songs sung by Kaji herself — “The Flower of Carnage” (“Shura no Hana”) and “My Grudge Blues” (“Urami Bushi”) — on the “Kill Invoice” soundtrack, boosting her abroad profile even larger.
