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Joe D'Amato made 200+ films. This is the one where cannibalism meets softcore and somehow nobody wins.
TMDB
46
IMDb
45
Rotten Tomatoes
24

Papaya: Love Goddess of the Cannibals (1978)

Grindhouse fever dreamErotic exploitationIsland chaos

Overview

HorrorRomance

A team of geologists attempt to remove a native population from an island to perform atomic research. But their female Cannibal leader disposes of them one by one.

Flag of ITITItalian
Content warning
exploitationgeologistcannibalerotic moviethreesome

Standout Aspects

Production

Shot in 10 days on a shoestring. The ambition exceeds the budget.

Costume

Papaya's barely-there wardrobe is basically the entire marketing budget.

Best for:Solo: When you want to question every life choice that led here.·Friends: Mystery Science Theater potential. Bring sarcastic friends.
Heads up:Sexual Content: Frequent nudity and softcore scenes that outlast their narrative purpose.·Gore: Cannibalism implied more than shown; still deeply uncomfortable colonial gaze.
Joe D'Amato

Director

Joe D'Amato

ReleasedNov 15, 1978
Runtime1h 26m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feellight
Mercury Cinematografica

Top Cast

Melissa Chimenti

Melissa Chimenti

Papaya

Sirpa Lane

Sirpa Lane

Sara

Maurice Poli

Maurice Poli

Vincent

Dakar

Dakar

Ceremony Leader (uncredited)

Maria Grazia Smaldone

Maria Grazia Smaldone

Woman at Macumba Ritual (uncredited)

Ask about Papaya: Love Goddess of the Cannibals

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Peak '70s Italo-cannibal cycle: D'Amato rode the coattails of Deodato's Last Cannibal World but added sexploitation to stand out in a crowded market.

Trivia

Sirpa Lane was fresh off Walerian Borowczyk's The Beast; D'Amato cast her for that art-house credibility he desperately wanted.

Gallery

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