Banned Film #3: Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha is an American film published in 2005. Although it was originally approved in China, the decision was reversed since the film had Chinese actors playing Japanese characters and the film involved geishas which were viewed as prostitutes in China, alluding to the Rape of Nanking.

Memoirs of a Geisha is about a Japanese child sold to a geisha house where she is forced into servitude. After years of training and endurance, she becomes a geisha of great beauty and influence. Despite her success, she also learns of the true lifestyle and cultural meanings of the geisha.

New York Times reviewed said the following:

Ms. Gong’s hauteur and soaring cheekbones work better for her character, a woman of acid resolve. Although there are moments when Hatsumomo comes perilously close to Dragon Lady caricature (“I will destroy you!”), the actress’s talent and dignity keep the performance from sliding into full-blown camp. But even the formidable Ms. Gong cannot surmount the ruinous decision to have her and Ms. Zhang, along with the poorly used Mr. Yakusho, deliver their lines in vaguely British-sounding English that imparts an unnatural halting quality to much of their dialogue. The. Result. Is. That. Each. Word. Of. Dialogue. Sounds. As. If. It. Were. Punctuated. By. A. Full. Stop. Which. Robs. The. Language. Of. Its. Watery. Flow. And. Breath. Of. Real. Life. Even. As. It. Also. Gives. New. Meaning. To. The. Definition. Of. The. Period. Movie.

“Memoirs of a Geisha” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). The film is as discreet as an unopened waterlily.

This movie is for those who are interested in the Sino-Japanese war period and interested in seeing the glorification and degradation of a geisha’s life during a period where Chinese and Japanese culture converge.

Learn more about the second Sino-Japanese War in this quick 3-minute video:

2018 also marks the 40th year anniversary of a peace treaty between Japan China.

Japan Prime Minister (left) Shinzo Abe and President Xi Jinping (right)

Read more about the future relations Sino-Japan relations here and here.