Invisible Women and T A P E collective present a special double bill of The Panther Women and The Bat Woman, highlighting the important contribution of female action stars to Mexican cinema.
The Panther Women (Las Mujeres Panteras) plunges into the wild world of 1960s Mexican pulp cinema, where (brilliantly named) fierce female wrestlers Loreta Venus and The Golden Rubi find themselves caught in a whirlwind of dark magic. The pair wind up pitted against the Panther Women, a glamorous and satanic cult of were panthers waging relentless war against the descendants of the druid who once killed their ancient leader.
With the mesmerizing exotic dancer and vedette Tongolele adding to the intrigue, The Panther Women serves up a heady dose of pulp thrills and high-energy action. This film delightfully blends gothic horror with the world of lucha libre, featuring a knock-off version of El Santo and a bevy of bloodthirsty, impeccably made-up wrestlers.
She Packs a Punch celebrates the action-laden, camp and curious world of 1960s Mexican pulp cinema with two recently restored films from director René Cardona. Showcasing his flair for action, spectacle and lucha libre, they highlight some of the most captivating female action stars of the era.
