My world is as forbidden as it is fragile; without its mysteries, it cannot survive.
"Memoirs of a Geisha" is a film released in 2005, directed by Rob Marshall and based on the novel of the same name by Arthur Golden. The film is a romantic drama that tells the story of a young Japanese girl named Chiyo who grows up to become the renowned geisha, Sayuri.
The movie is set in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in Kyoto, Japan, and follows Chiyo's journey from a poor fishing village to the glamorous and competitive world of geisha. Chiyo is taken from her family and sold to a geisha house, where she begins her training in the arts of music, dance, and entertainment. As she transforms into the elegant and accomplished geisha, Sayuri, she faces various challenges, including rivalry with other geishas and the impact of World War II on Japan.
The film features an international cast, with Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi in the lead role of Sayuri. Other notable cast members include Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, and Youki Kudoh. "Memoirs of a Geisha" received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its cinematography, costumes, and performances, but criticism for its casting choices and the portrayal of Japanese culture.