Director: Rob Marshall
Writer: Ron Bass, Akiva Goldsman, Robin Swicord, Doug Wright
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Youki Kudoh
Released: January 19, 2006
Rating: (M)
Runtime: 145 minutes
Websites:
Story: Based on the internationally acclaimed novel by Arthur Golden, "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a sweeping romantic epic set in a mysterious and exotic world that still casts a potent spell today. The story begins in the years before WWII when a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang). Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man who is out of her reach (Ken Watanabe). Nine-year old Chiyo, a poor fisherman's daughter, is taken from her family and sold to a geisha house. From her start as a common household maid, she blossoms into one of Kyoto's most renowned geishas, surviving the envy and treachery of the competition.
Cast:
Ziyi Zhang Sayuri
Ken Watanabe Chairman
Michelle Yeoh Mameha
Youki Kudoh Pumpkin
Suzuka Ohgo Chiyo
Togo Igawa Tanaka
Mako Sakamoto
Samantha Futerman Satsu
Elizabeth Sung Sakamoto's Wife
Thomas Ikeda Mr. Bekku
Li Gong Hatsumomo
Tsai Chin Auntie
Kaori Momoi Mother
Zoe Weizenbaum Young Pumpkin
David Okihiro Shamisen Teacher
Miyako Tachibana Dance Teacher
Kotoko Kawamura Granny
Karl Yune Koichi
Eugenia Yuan Korin