Official Sites: n/a

 

Release date: Dec. 2005

 

Teaser posters:

 
 
 
 

Trailer: n/a

 

 

 

 The geisha, in translation

(Los Angeles Times)

By Bruce Wallace

Every move Komomo makes is rooted in Japanese ritual. The way her body sinks to kneel, or how she uses just the fingertips of her right hand to slide open the wood-framed Japanese doors. The way she moves like smoke across the room on her dancer's toes...

 

Pan-Asian doesn't mean prejudiced - Response to the Bruce Wallace article from Memoirs of A Geisha producers:

Re Bruce Wallace's "The Geisha, in Translation" (March 6): Oscar-winning English actress Vivien Leigh so convincingly consumed the role of Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara that "Gone With the Wind" remains an enduring classic to this day. Linda Hunt won an Oscar for portraying an Indonesian man in "The Year of Living Dangerously," as did American Gwyneth Paltrow for playing an Englishwoman in "Shakespeare in Love." Liam Neeson earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of German businessman Oskar Schindler, and Russell Crowe grabbed an Oscar for playing a Roman general. The list of nontraditional casting choices is endless.

Oscar-winning English actress Vivien Leigh so convincingly consumed the role of Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara that "Gone With the Wind" remains an enduring classic to this day. Linda Hunt won an Oscar for portraying an Indonesian man in "The Year of Living Dangerously," as did American Gwyneth Paltrow for playing an Englishwoman in "Shakespeare in Love." Liam Neeson earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of German businessman Oskar Schindler, and Russell Crowe grabbed an Oscar for playing a Roman general. The list of nontraditional casting choices is endless.

(Click here to continue)

 

Japan looks uneasily to its laurels as old rival steals several long marches (Times Online)

By Richard Lloyd Parry

When Sony Pictures said that it was making Memoirs of a Geisha, it must have seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime for Japan’s actresses...

 

Pan-Asian casting for 'Geisha' sparked some debate

(Los Angeles Times)

The decision to cast Chinese actresses in the main roles of "Memoirs of a Geisha" was widely debated at Sony Pictures -- a Japanese company -- and by the movie's producers, including Steven Spielberg...

 

Actress Yeoh hits out at critics of Geisha movie cast

(AFP via Yahoo! News)

Malaysian-born, Hong Kong-based actress Michelle Yeoh has hit out at criticism that she and two other leading Chinese actresses were cast as Japanese in her upcoming movie, a media report said...

 

Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Chinese-American Geisha

(The New York Times)

By Anne Thompson

If the coming story in film is globalization, "Memoirs of a Geisha," set for a Christmas release by Sony Pictures, may one day be seen as a movie at the tipping point...

(Thanks to Liling Chen.)

 

Chinese geisha give slanted view of Japan's oldest professionals

(Mainichi Daily News)

By Ryann Connell

IGeisha given a sneak preview of parts of the film adaptation of "Memoirs of a Geisha" have savaged the show, according to Shukan Shincho (2/10)...

(Thanks to "No Front")

 

'Geisha's walk in the park

(San Francisco Chronicle)

By G. Allen Johnson

Cars are lined up along the street outside the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, which is not in itself an unusual sight...

(Thanks to John Becker.)

 

Japanese on edge over Spielberg's geisha film (The Guardian)

By McCurry

Critics fear teahouse culture will be tweaked for western audience.

(Thanks to "CJ")

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Ang Lee's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Receives Eight Oscar Nominations (Oscar.com)

 

 

January 31, 2006

 

(Focus Features, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Films)

Ang Lee directed "great American love story"  Brokeback Mountain has become the front runner for the Oscar with eight nominations, including best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best cinematography, best music (score) and best adapted screenplay. Memoirs of A Geisha clears up almost all the art categories with six nominations and fails to reach any the acting categories.

 

The complete nomination list.

 

 

 

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Nomination List (BAFTA.co.uk)

 

 

January 19, 2006

 

(Focus Features, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Films, China Film Group)

Ang Lee's cowboy love story Brokeback Mountain received nominations in nine categories, including film, direction, actor in a leading role, actor in a supporting role, music, cinematography and editing. Memoirs of A Geisha, a tale about the east told in the west, is nominated to compete for six awards, including actress in a leading role (Zhang Ziyi), music, cinematography, production design, costume design and make up & hair. Stephen Chow's comedy actioner  Kung Fu Hustle is listed in the category of film not in the English language.

 

 

Brokeback Mountain

Film - Diana Ossana / James Schamus

The David Lean Award for achievement in Direction - Ang Lee

Adapted Screenplay - Larry McMurtry / Diana Ossana
Actor in a Leading Role - Heath Ledger

Actor in a Supporting Role - Jake Gyllenhaal

Actress in a Supporting Role - Michelle Williams
The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music - Gustavo Santaolalla

Cinematography - Rodrigo Prieto
Editing - Geraldine Peroni / Dylan Tichenor


Memoirs of a Geisha

Actress in a Leading Role - Ziyi Zhang

The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music - John Williams

Cinematography - Dion Beebe
Production Design - John Myhre

Costume Design - Colleen Atwood

Make up & Hair - Noriko Watanabe / Kate Biscoe / Lyndell Quiyou / Kelvin R Trahan 
 

Kung Fu Hustle

Film Not in the English Language  - Stephen Chow / Chui Po Chu / Jeff Lau

 

The complete nomination list.

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Premiered in LA  (...)

 

 

December 4, 2005

 

Zhang Ziyi Michelle Yeoh
(Reuters / AP)

More première photos: A and B

 

 

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Tokyo Premiere (Sina.com)

 

 

November 29, 2005

 

(?)

Press conference yesterday in Tokyo: Video clip Photos

The Tokyo premiere: Video clip Photos

Video: cast and Rob Marshall interview

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

7 MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Clips (HelloZiyi.us / Movies.com)

 

 

November 25, 2005

 

The Taiwanese poster
(?)

Click here, here and here.

 

More about Memoirs of A Geisha: go here.

 

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Italian Poster (CinEmpire.com)

 

 

November 21, 2005

 

 

(Eagle Pictures)

CinEmpire.com has a large collection of Memoirs of A Geisha stills.

Click here

(Thanks to "Sid".)

 

Official Italian site

 

Related Story:

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA: An Interview with Director Rob Marshall (BlackFilm.com)

(Thanks to "Wilson" of BlackFilm.com.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Images (HelloZiyi.us)

 

 

November 14, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

HelloZiyi.us just had more collection of Memoirs of A Geisha photos.

 

Click here

 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us.)

 
 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA North American Trailer in QuickTime (Apple.com)

 

 

October 22, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us.)

 
 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA North American Trailer (Yahoo!)

 

 

September 19, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

Actually, this one is virtually identical to the Japanese trailer released last month.

Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Japanese Trailer Online Now (Movies.co.jp)

 

 

August 25, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thanks to "Marla" of www.admiringgongli.com.)

 
 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Promotional Stills (HelloZiyi.us)

 

 

August 22, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

Some unknown number of promotional stills have been distributed to the media of east Asia. Some of them are available here.

 

Left: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yoeh and Gong Li wearing traditional kimonos and none traditional hairstyles.

 

 

 
 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Shots (...)

 

 

July 30, 2005

 

Ken Watanabe and Zhang Ziyi posing for The Elle Magazine (The Elle Magazine)

Zhang Ziyi (2nd L) and Michelle Yeoh (3rd L). (L to R): Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe, ?, ?, Koji Yakusho, ? Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi.
(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

More shots are available at

HelloZiyi.us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thanks to "Chris" and an anonymous friend.)

 
 

 

Another MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Teaser Poster (Blackfilm.com)

 

 

July 20, 2005

 

(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

The blue eyes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Thanks to Wilson Morales.)

 
 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Interviews: Rob Marshall / Michelle Yeoh (Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre)

January 17, 2005

(Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Films)

Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Filming of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Wrapped Up in Tokyo (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

January 31, 2005

More photos (Sina.com)

A press conference was held in Tokyo today, marking the end of the four month long production. Director Rob Marshall and majority of the cast shows up at the conference, except the female lead Zhang Ziyi who, according to Sina.com, was doing an advertising shoot away in Romania. The highly anticipated movie will have a world-wide release in December 2005. In Japan, Memoirs of a Geisha will be distributed under the title of Sayuri, same as the title of the Japanese edition of the original book. The production in Japan was collaborated by local studio Shochiku.

.

Title photo: (L to R) an unidentified producer, director Rob Marshall, Gong Li (Hatsumomo), Kaori Momoi (Okiya Mother), Michelle Yeoh (Mameha), Ken Watanabe (The Chairman), Koji Yakusho (Nobu), Youki Kudoh (Pumpkin), Suzuka Ohgo (Young Sayuri), producer Douglas Wick.

 

Related Story: 'Memoirs of a Geisha' wraps up filming in Japan, by Chris Betros, Japan Today

 

 
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Photo (Entertainment Weekly / HelloZiyi.us)

January 19, 2005

Memoirs of a Geisha

Why geishas are respected as artists in Japan? Click here and here.
 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us.)

 

 

An Interesting Shot From The Set Of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Première / Oriental Daily)

January 11, 2005

(?)

This photo originally posted in the February issue of the US edition of Première magazine. The issue on the left is a scan from Chinese language newspaper Oriental Daily. It shows director Rob Marshall, Zhang Ziyi and Ken Watanabe on the set of Memoirs of a Geisha. (Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us and the anonymous for the clarifications.)

 

Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre has more updates on the filming.

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA On-Set Photos (***)

January 9, 2005

Zhang Ziyi as Sayuri before she became a geisha (***)

Someone took these series of photos while on the set of Memoirs Of A Geisha.

 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us and the anonymous photographer.)

 

Click here for more photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Teaser Poster (DreamWorks SKG Fansite)

January 6, 2005

(Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks Films)

Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre has more updates on the filming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMORIES OF A GEISHA Set Report (Dark Horizons)

December 17, 2004

Memories

Of A Geisha

Click here.

 

 

 

 

First Pictures From The Set Of MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Blackfilm.com)

December 3, 2004

Zhang Ziyi (L) and Ken Watanabe (R). Zhang Ziyi Gong Li (R)
(Columbia Pictures / DreamWorks Films)

(Thanks to "Wilson".)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Spy Report From MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Set (Darkhorizons.com)

November 13, 2004

Zhang Ziyi

(Beijing New Picture)

Gong Li

(Block 2 Pictures)

Michelle Yeoh

(Han Entertainment)

Bluenose Kitty, just filed his/her second spy report from the set of Memoirs Of Geisha: click here.

 

Also, Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre. got some trivial bits: Click here.

 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us.)

 

 

 

 

First Spy Report From MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Set (Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre)

November 4, 2004

Zhang Ziyi

(Beijing New Picture)

Gong Li

(Block 2 Pictures)

Michelle Yeoh

(Han Entertainment)

Someone calling him/herself Bluenose Kitty, who just worked on the Thousand Oaks set of Memoirs Of Geisha for two days, sent a spy report to Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre. The spy gives us a fairly detail description of the set of "Kyoto from the 1920s-1930's period" and a few scenes with Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li. Click here.

 

(Thanks to "Chris" from HelloZiyi.us.)

 

 

 

 

Rumor Of Toei Boycotting MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Unverified (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

October 26, 2004

Zhang Ziyi (Beijing New Picture Films )

The rumor of Japan's Toei Studios might refuse to lend its set to the production of Memoirs Of A Geisha was from an article by The Hong Kong Sun last week. I have been unable to independently verify the authenticity of the report. The credibility of the newspaper is the only thing we can count on. Shooting has been carried out in California, including Sony Studios in  Hollywood, Thousand Oaks and The Huntington in San Marino. Studio press release indicates shooting will also take place in Japan but Toei Studios is not mentioned. (Click here for the newest press release.)

 

Related Story:

Japan's Toei Studios Might Boycott MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Production? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) October 18, 2004

 

What Do You Know - A Fake Tree For MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre)

October 25, 2004

("Derrick")

An artificial Japanese cherry tree has been "planted" at the Japanese Garden of The Huntington near Los Angeles. It is the off season for the tree to blossom, so using a fake tree makes sense. The filming will be held at the garden today. According to Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre, "the production company has built an actual Japanese Village in Thousand Oaks, a city 39 miles west of Los Angeles and the bulk of the film will be shot there. A large Sumo wrestling scene which involves 300-400 extras will be shot at the Sony Studios during November 2 - 4."

 

For more shots: A B C D E F G

 

(Thanks to "CJ".)

 

Japan's Toei Studios Might Boycott MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Production? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

October 18, 2004

Zhang Ziyi (Beijing New Picture Films )

Hong Kong newspaper The Sun reported that Japanese studio Toei, set to collaborate the production of Memoirs Of A Geisha in Japan, might refuse to lease its set to the Americans. According to the paper, Toei was not happy about the fat that the cast of Memoirs Of A Geisha, a story supposed occurred in Japan, consists with too many Chinese and not enough Japanese. It was just like "changing a Kyoto's temple into a grand Chinese restaurant."

 

Both the movie and the book it is based on are in fact western interpretation of Japan's geisha culture. The Japanese are especially upset that geishas are portrayed as prostitutes. In fact, they are entertainers and could even be seen as artists.

 

 

 

Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh To Star In MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, It Is Official!

(Columbia Pictures)

August 19, 2004

Zhang Ziyi in Hero. (Beijing New Picture Films / Elite Group (2003) Enterprises, Inc.)

Gong Li in 2046. (Block 2 Pictures)

Michelle Yeoh in The Touch.

(Han Entertainment, Ltd, Mythical Films)

A few hours ago Columbia Pictures announced that Chinese Zhang Ziyi and Japanese actor Ken Watanabe would take the leading roles in Memoirs Of A Geisha. Chinese actress Gong Li, Chinese Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and Japanese actor Koji Yakusho and actress Youki Kudoh are in final negotiations for supporting roles.

(Thanks to **, Mark Singh and Lynne Brakeman.)

 

Zhang Ziyi started her career in a small TV movie called Touching Starlight while still registered at Central Drama Academy in Beijing. She was then picked by director Zhang Yimou to lead The Road Home. Her performance in Ang Lee's Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon made her an instant star worldwide. Since then, she has taken supporting roles in a series of movies, Musa and My Wife Is A Gangster, which were both Korean productions, The Legend Of Zu, from Hong Kong, and Rush Hour 2, a Hollywood project. She then returned to martial-art genre by playing in Hero and House Of Flying Daggers, both were directed by Zhang Yimou. In between these two projects, she did Purple Butterfly, Jasmine and 2046. Her most recent film is Operetta Tanuki Goten, in which she played an ancient Japanese girls. Even more interest - the profession of the character she played in House Of Flying Daggers, later became Geisha in Japan.

 

Gong Li was also graduated from Central Drama Academy and also started her silver screen career with director Zhang Yimou. From 1980's to 1990's, they have worked together in Red Sorghum, Codename Cougar, A Terre Cotta Warrior, Ju Dou, Raise The Red Lanterns, Story Of Qiu Ju, Shanghai Triad and To Live. During these years, she also participated in several Hong Kong productions, which did little to help her career. After ended the working relationship with Zhang Yimou, she starred in director Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine, Temptress Moon and The Emperor And The Assassin. Her newest released film project is Zhou Yu's Train. She will be seen in Wong Kar-Wai's 2046 and Eros.

 

Born in Malaysia, Michelle Yeoh started her career in Hong Kong after graduated from a UK college. After playing in dozens of Hong Kong action features, she was discovered by international audiences when Rumble In Bronx was released worldwide. She was then cast a bond girl in Tomorrow Never Die and her appearance in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon brought her more international recognition. Recently she then produced and played in two projects, The Touch and Silver Hawk, both were not very successful.

 

Though Memoirs Of A Geisha is about a story takes place entirely in Japan, only half of the cast are Japanese. The other half are Chinese. Zhang, Gong and Yeoh are the most well-known Asian actress outside the Hollywood circle. Asian actress in the Hollywood, like Lucy Liu and Kelly Hu, are probably too familiar and too expensive to be considered for the project.

 

Directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Steven Spielberg, Memoirs Of A Geisha will go into production next month in the States and Japan. By then, everyone will have to speak English rather Japanese - it is a Hollywood production after all.

 

Click here for the original press release by PR Newswire.

 

Is Gong Li In MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Too? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

July 30, 2004

Memoirs Of

A Geisha

It appeared on Tuesday's Oriental Daily and Apple Daily, two newspapers in Hong Kong. It was nothing than a speculation but international news agency AFP took it very seriously and filed a story on the same day.

 

(Thanks to bunny@*.*)

 

Related stories:

Bond-girl Yeoh and China's Li win roles in Spielberg geisha film (AFP via Yahoo! News) July 28, 2004

(Note: her last name is "Gong" not "Li".)

Zhang Ziyi Lands The Title Role In MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) July 20, 2004

Michelle Yeoh Joins MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Too? (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

July 27, 2004

Memoirs Of

A Geisha

Michelle Yoeh also landed a role in Memoirs Of A Geisha? According to Hong Kong newspaper Oriental Daily, the answer is yes.

 

Related story:

Zhang Ziyi Lands The Title Role In MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) July 20, 2004

Zhang Ziyi Lands The Title Role In MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

July 20, 2004

(Beijing New Pictures Films)

Zhang Ziyi won the title role in Steven Spielberg produced and Rob Marshall directed Memoirs Of A Geisha – this news is quickly spreading around the globe. Before say anything, I would like to recall the story of the story. It all started with an interview posted by a Chinese newspaper last week. During the interview, Zhang Ziyi said she only got a few days of rest until a Hollywood production caught up to her and she would have to speak English in it. “It will be the most important film in my life. I think the pressure will cause me to lose a few kilograms, but I am so excited.” – quoted from the article. Then some reporter got a little bit creative and linked her to Memoirs of A Geisha, which will start filming in September. The story was quickly reposted by many other Chinese media, and appeared on several Hong Kong newspapers yesterday. On the same day, international news agency AFP brought it to the English speaking world by running a story based on a report by Hong Kong paper Apple Daily and since then it has been reposted by many other English media. 

We know Zhang Ziyi is set to star in a Hollywood production later this year and we also know the filming of long-awaited big screen adaptation of Memoirs Of A Geisha will finally happen the coming September. But, did she really land the title role of the project? Maybe it is just a rumor, maybe she is still pushing for it against many other Asian actresses, maybe she is negotiating with Spielberg and Marshall, or maybe she has already got it and everyone is waiting for the right moment to announce it.

 

Just add another twist to the mystery – Zhang Ziyi’s manager has politely turned down my request for commenting on the rumor.

 

Related Story:

HK heroines lose lead role in Spielberg film to Chinese star (AFP) Jul 19, 2004

Geisha' audition draws nearly 200 (Pasadena Star) by Gema Duarte,

Greg’s Previews: Memoirs Of A Geisha (Yahoo! Movies) by Greg Dean Schmitz

 

Cast

ZHANG Ziyi

Sayuri Nitta

 

Ken WATANABE

The Chairman

 

GONG Li

Hatsumomo

 

Michelle YEOH

Mameha

 

Youki KUDOH

O-Kabo (Pumpkin)

 

Koji YAKUSHO

Nobu

 

Cary-Hiroyuki TAGAWA

The Baron

 

Kaori MOMOI

Okiya Mother

 

TSAI Chin

Auntie

 

Kotoko KAWAMURA

Granny

 

Karl YUNE

Koichi

 

Eugenia YUAN

Korin

 

Suzuka OHGO

Chiyo

 

Togo IGAWA

Tanaka

 

Michael KUROIWA

Businessman

 

Navia NGUYEN

Geisha

 

Faith SHIN

Little Kiko

 

Kenneth TSANG

General

 

Zoe WEIZENBAUM

Young Pumpkin

 

Christian Oda

Son of the Chairman

 

Directed by

Rob Marshall

 

Based on novel by

Arthur Golden

 

Screenplay by

Ron Bass

Akiva Goldsman

Robin Swicord

 

Produced by

Gary Barber

Roger Birnbaum

Bobby Cohen

John DeLuca

Doug Fisher

Lucy Fisher

Steven Spielberg

Leeann Stonebreaker

Patricia Whitcher

Douglas Wick

Gary Barber

 

Original music by

John Williams
 

Film editing by

Pietro Scalia
 

Production design by

John Myhre
 

Art direction by

Patrick M. Sullivan Jr.
Tomas Voth
 

Set decoration by

Gretchen Rau
 

Costume design by

Colleen Atwood
 

More credits

 

Distributed by

Columbia Pictures

DreamWorks Films

 

Production by

Spyglass Entertainment

 
Official sites:
Zhang Ziyi
Ken Watanabe (unofficial)
Youki Kudoh