Thursday, January 26, 2006
Synopsis: In 1929 an impoverished nine-year-old named Chiyo from a fishing village is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha Hatsumomo. Her stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of Hatsumomo, until she is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo becomes the legendary geisha named Sayuri, trained in all the artistic and social skills a geisha must master in order to survive in her society. As a renowned geisha she enters a society of wealth, privilege, and political intrigue. Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man who is out of her reach. As World War II looms Japan and the geisha's world are forever changed by the onslaught of history.
From left: Sayuri (Zhang Ziyi), Mameha (Michelle Yeoh), Hatsumomo (Gong Li)
Sayuri - the lengendary geisha
The Chairman (Ken Watanabe)
