A lush, sweeping historical romance where a young girl's resilience flows like water, carving a path through the rigid, shadowy world of Kyoto's geisha to find an enduring, forbidden love.
Memoirs of a Geisha
"A story like mine has never been told."
Director:
Rob Marshall
Cast:
Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe, Suzuka Ohgo
Drama
History
Romance
Budget:
$85,000,000
Box Office:
$162,242,962
Memoirs of a Geisha - Easter Eggs & Hidden Details
Easter Eggs
Yamashiro Restaurant Location
The famous Cal-Asian restaurant Yamashiro in Hollywood was used for two key locations: the spot where young Chiyo takes dancing lessons, and later for the large party celebrating Sayuri's debut. The restaurant has a long history in Hollywood, appearing in other Asia-centric films like Sayonara (1957) [1.10].
The Snow Dance Narrative
The highly theatrical dance Sayuri performs on stage tells the story of a woman who suspects her husband of infidelity, waits outside in the snow to catch him leaving his mistress, and succumbs to the elements. This serves as a grim foreshadowing of Hatsumomo's tragic, self-destructive fate.