Night of the Felines, also known as Mesunekotachi no Yoru, is a Japanese erotic drama film released in 1972. Directed by Noboru Tanaka, the film follows the lives of three prostitution workers - Sakura, Natsuko, and Lisa - as they go about their daily routine in a Shinjuku bathhouse.
The movie's plot explores different aspects of the sex industry, including the emotional and physical toll it takes on the workers. The three female protagonists lead very different lives, each with their unique story and struggles. Sakura is a divorced woman who has turned to prostitution to support her son, while Natsuko is a college student who uses prostitution as a means to fund her studies. Lisa is a foreigner and former exotic dancer who has turned to prostitution to make ends meet.
Throughout the film, the women interact with various male clients, some of whom are kind and respectful, while others are abusive and aggressive. The movie is unafraid to explore the darker sides of the business, including physical violence, emotional manipulation, and drug abuse.
As the night progresses, the women bond over their shared experiences and the fleeting nature of relationships in their line of work. While the atmosphere of the bathhouse is playful and somewhat lighthearted, the underlying melancholy of the characters' lives and the harsh realities they face are ever-present.
Night of the Felines is often cited as a standout example of Japan's "pink film" genre, which saw a proliferation of erotic cinema in the 1970s. Despite its subject matter, the movie is praised for its depth and honesty in portraying the lives of sex workers and the complexities of their emotional and physical struggles.