Program Note
In the realm of 70s and 80s Eurotrash, particularly at the intersection of sexploitation and horror, two names stand out: Jess Franco and Joe D'Amato. Among D'Amato’s many works from the extensive and varied filmography from spaghetti westerns to cannibal gores, the ‘Emanuelle’ series holds a significant place. After the global success of the film Emmanuelle (1974) starring Sylvia Kristel, various versions of Emmanuelle films were produced throughout Europe. D'Amato's ‘Black Emanuelle’ series, starring Laura Gemser, was the most successful, diverse, and long-lasting. D'Amato's Emanuelle films continued with numerous sequels, becoming increasingly extravagant. Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals merges the signature lesbian sex scenes of the Emanuelle series with D'Amato's penchant for brutal gore, featuring his trademark violent body mutilation. Reminiscing Ae-ma from The Ae-ma Woman, the most famous Korean sexploitation series from the 80s, Emanuelle offers another intriguing viewpoint on the global circulation of the 70s erotic eurotrash, particularly through the expanded home video market post-80s. (Jin PARK)