"Memoirs of a Geisha" in Japan

[Hon Wa Chau]

Mark,

Having Zhang maintain a pure, virginal burning flame in Sayuri clashes 
with other elements of the film. The use an older woman's voice for the 
narration is meant to convey Sayuri as a strong survivor, yet by 
keeping up her virginal demeanor, Sayuri doesn't mature much from her 
childhood days. Suzuka Ohgo's Chiyo has more moxie than Zhang's Sayuri.

Plus, how can anyone virginal concoct a scheme of using a tryst with an 
American to disgust Nobu? Sayuri's plan is perhaps the only active 
choice she makes. Comparing her character to the element of water — 
which carves its own path — makes little sense when she is more like a 
floating weed in the film, manipulated by just about every other major 
character.

The water analogy may be the most offensive aspect of the movie, since 
the filmmakers decided to give Sayuri blue-rimmed irises. They are 
especially prominent in the portrait of Zhang used on posters for the 
film. What does the poster in Japan look like?

Jason Chau


On Friday, December 9, 2005, at 09:41  PM, mark schilling wrote:

> Dear Jason Chau,
>
> The version I saw was subbed, the Japanese trailer is subbed and there 
> is no
> mention on the Japanese website of a dubbed version. Am I missing 
> something?
>
> Interesting how Kudoh's Pumpkin suddenly springs to life when she 
> becomes a
> "pan pan" girl -- and how devitalized Zhang's postwar Sayuri looks by
> comparison. It's clear that Marshall "gets" the former character -- 
> who is
> as American ( or rather Americanized) as cherry Coke -- far better 
> than the
> Orientalist fantasy that is Sayuri.
>
> Zhang Ziyi was totally different in "2046" -- slithery and sexy as 
> hell. But
> in "Memoirs" she has to keep that pure, virginal flame burning for the
> Chairman -- while letting Gong supply most of the erotic fire (and 
> literal
> fire as well).
>
> Best,
> Mark Schilling