Memoirs of a Geisha

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Par H @Parhwy Mar 4 Memoirs of a Geisha is a 145-minute-long film released in 2005 which I watched on free to air television in March 2025. It focusses on Chiyo as she goes from 9-year-old girl in 1929 to maiko to geisha ending in post-war Japan. There is cruelty, heartbreak, maliciousness, privation, sexual trafficking, sexual assault, amidst the seeming external beauty and art of Kyoto’s geisha moiety. It is curious that the author of the book, an American male, was sued by his source, an actual geisha, and settled out of court. She went on to write her own book. There is a fair amount of controversy with this film in China and Japan, and of the history I know, I can understand why. Rewatch? No. Recommend? No. See more Orange C @Traveler3187 Jan 20 A terrible movie adapted from an equally terrible book. See more Jordan S. @jswez Jan 17 Theres’s a lot to captivate you in this accurate portrayal of a lesser seen side of Japanese culture, but the road travelled feels painful and unending. Unfortunately the ends don’t justify the means. See more E K @liz6604 Jan 17 I don't know what the critics are thinking! This was a GREAT movie! I read the book first & I thought it was a very good representation of the book! See more Audrey H. @audreyholds Jan 12 I think I would have loved this way more had I not read the book first; however, still love the story. See more Josh W @josh.wilson_za_uk Dec 26 Memoirs of a Geisha is easily one of my all-time favourite films. From start to finish it is visually breathtaking, every frame packed with colour, texture, and detail that makes the world feel alive. Hatsumomo is a chaotic force and utterly unforgettable, and I love her in every scene she is in. Gong Li brings her to life with such precision and intensity, owning the screen in a way that makes you hate her, fear her, and yet be completely mesmerised all at once. Ziyi Zhang and Michelle Yeoh are phenomenal too, giving the story heart, weight, and elegance, but Gong Li steals every scene she touches. The tension is electric, and the drama lands with real emotional impact. Watching Chiyo’s journey from innocence to resilience is heartbreaking and powerful, and the story is elevated by the performances, the atmosphere, and the sheer beauty of the production. It is immersive and every time I watch it I find something new to fall in love with. See more Read all reviews

Memoirs of a Geisha

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