Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha is a 2005 drama film directed by Rob Marshall and based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Arthur Golden. The film follows the story of a young girl named Chiyo Sakamoto, who is sold along with her sister into a geisha house in Kyoto, Japan during the 1920s. After a failed attempt to escape, Chiyo is eventually taken in by a renowned geisha named Mameha (Michelle Yeoh) who sees potential in her and decides to train her as a geisha. 

As Chiyo (played by Suzuka Ohgo) transforms into a geisha, she faces fierce competition from the established geisha Hatsumomo (played by Gong Li), who is determined to maintain her position at the top of the geisha world. Along the way, Chiyo develops a close relationship with a wealthy businessman known as the Chairman (played by Ken Watanabe), who becomes her hope for a better life and a way out of the geisha world.

The film explores the intricate and complex social structures of the geisha world, including the intense training that geishas undergo, the rivalry and jealousy that exists between them, and the pressures they face to please their clients and maintain their position in society. As Chiyo grows into the successful geisha Sayuri (played by Zhang Ziyi), she finds herself caught up in a love triangle between the Chairman and his business associate, the Baron (played by Koji Yakusho).

Memoirs of a Geisha received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its beautiful visuals and strong performances, while others criticized its historical inaccuracies and lack of depth in its portrayal of the geisha world. Nevertheless, the film was a box office success, grossing over $162 million worldwide and winning three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design.