IMDb > Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Memoirs of a Geisha
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 125 | slideshow) Videos (see all 14)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) -- Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) -- Clip: Your Offer
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) -- Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) -- Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) -- Movieplayer.it - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   35,404 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 28% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Robin Swicord (screenplay)
Arthur Golden (book)
Contact:
View company contact information for Memoirs of a Geisha on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 December 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 28 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(74 articles)
Wayne Wang is a 'Fan' of Ziyi Zhang
 (From ioncinema. 12 December 2009, 6:25 PM, PST)

Gong Li Joining Wong Kar-Wai's 一代宗师 (The Great Master)?
 (From Twitch. 8 December 2009, 5:07 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Breathtaking from the first scene more (522 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Suzuka Ohgo ... Chiyo

Togo Igawa ... Tanaka

Mako ... Sakamoto

Samantha Futerman ... Satsu

Elizabeth Sung ... Sakamoto's Wife
Thomas Ikeda ... Mr. Bekku
Li Gong ... Hatsumomo (as Gong Li)
Tsai Chin ... Auntie
Kaori Momoi ... Mother

Zoe Weizenbaum ... Young Pumpkin
David Okihiro ... Shamisen Teacher
Miyako Tachibana ... Dance Teacher
Kotoko Kawamura ... Granny

Karl Yune ... Koichi

Eugenia Yuan ... Korin
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for mature subject matter and some sexual content.
Runtime:
145 min | Philippines:140 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Finland:K-11 | UK:12A | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Ireland:12A | Czech Republic:12 | Sweden:7 | Argentina:13 | Hong Kong:IIA | Germany:12 | Netherlands:MG6 | Malaysia:18PL | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Indonesia:Dewasa | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Brazil:14 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Canada Video Rating/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | France:Unrated | France:U | Singapore:NC-16 (special edition DVD) | Iceland:L | Hungary:14 | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41007) | China:(Banned)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film's winter light effect was discovered incidentally days before production. With the silk rigged to prevent rain water from damaging the set, the rigging crew attempted to emulate daylight during night. Gaffer John Buckley threw 3/4 lights from top to bottom of the set through the silk. Thus was the result and it was what Dion Beebe got which he went on to win Best Cinematographer of 2005. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: Sayuri is the Year of the Monkey, not the Rooster. more
Quotes:
Sayuri Narration: If your honorable sister tells you to cut your leg, you cut your leg. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Tsugaru Jyangara Bushi more

FAQ

What was the white stuff that the geisha's had to sleep on?
What was that stuff being combed into Sayuri's hair?
What became of Sayuri's sister?
more
263 out of 370 people found the following comment useful.
Breathtaking from the first scene, 8 December 2005
9/10
Author: kyaroko from New York

I lived in Japan for 3 years and I loved the book, rich with visual imagery. I went to the see the movie with a good deal of trepidation, convinced that they were going to butcher it and sex it up to appeal to American audiences. Instead I sat spellbound in my seat as I watched the images that Arthur Golden has created in my mind with words years before, play themselves out on the screen in front of me. Every shot, ever scene, every tiny detail was just beautiful. I literally did not look away from the screen the entire time. The acting wasn't spectacular. I think they could have found somebody better to play Sayuri. The children were all wonderful. The stand-out actress by far was Gong Li as Hatsumomo. The villain had the best opportunities to show her skills as a thespian. The plot stuck very closely to the book. They eliminated the scenes that they needed to in the interest of time, but they didn't try to take any shortcuts or speed up the plot. I really felt like the story was played out beginning to end without sacrificing any of the meat. You'll read a lot of reviews in the coming weeks praising the gorgeous photography. Every word is true. Words like "lush" and "exquisite" only begin to do it justice. I've never had the experience of being transported to another time by a movie in quite this way.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (522 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
IMDB Trivia reikun86
culturally clueless film based off a culturally clueless book. chrisl84notpia
The music in the main menu of the DVD... simpsoniac12
Was this a true story? loves_it_gorgeous
HELP! Why do they have more than one name 4 each person? loves_it_gorgeous
Did there father know that he... loves_it_gorgeous
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Notebook Kaidan Giant Empire of the Sun Gone with the Wind
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.