Fatal Beauty

Meng Lisi, Maid of the Jungle

Dir: Lo Wei
Orig Story: Ti Feng
Scr: Wang Fang
Prod Co: Swank
Co-starring: Chao Lei, Lo Wei, Yang Zhiqing, Chiang Kuang-chao
1961 | B&W | DCP | Mandarin | 102min

Based on the work by renowned wuxia novelist Ti Feng in the 1950s and 60s, this film stars Lin Dai as the hard-headed and extraordinarily skilled female martial arts warrior Meng Lisi, who is tasked by the Eight Heroes of Jiangnan to observe if Emperor Yongzheng (Chao Lei) has fulfilled his promise of uniting the Hans and the Manchurians after ascending to the throne. Yongzheng is so taken by Meng Lisi’s beauty that he takes her in as an imperial concubine. However, Yongzheng begins to grow ungrateful; not only does he plan to poison the Eight Heroes, he also swifts his attention to another concubine. Jaded by his betrayals, Lisi retires from the martial arts world and goes into hiding. Unlike her familiar diva screen image in dramas and comedies, Lin shows off her versatile swordsmanship with clean, swift movements that would convince anyone that she is an authentic swordswoman. This title has not been shown on the big screen for many years, so this special screening is a rare chance to catch a glimpse of Lin as a martial arts heroine.

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