Memoirs of a Geisha to be banned in China

Otacon · 2 Feb 2006 at 10:38

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4672840.stm

Shame, not because it's a decent film (which it is, if a little slow), just because it's being censored so. The Chinese also wont get to see Brokeback cowboy pudding (whatever it is) either, and although I've yet to see it myself (people wont stop talking about it... which is putting me off for some reason), at least I have the option.

I guess we should be grateful that we dont have to endure such censorship here.

Sic · 2 Feb 2006 at 10:47

i dunno about this one. i can kinda see why China would want to censor it...but it should be up to the individual, which is always my argument against censorship. there's probably going to be some chinese people that really want to see it, and some that will be disgusted by it because of Ziyi Zhang's nationality. they appear to have a lot more antiquated morals and traditions, and i dont think that the banning of this film is purely because of an oppressive Chinese way of life.

but then, i don't know all the facts

(JUST THE FACTS, JACK!)

Takhisis · 3 Feb 2006 at 07:37

As a kinda related note read the book!!! it is excellent, its one of those books that you sit down for a 10 minute read and the next thing you know an hour has gone by

I haven't had chance to see the film yet - part of me really wants to but another part is worried that as I enjoyed the book so much, the film will just be a let down

Sic · 3 Feb 2006 at 08:35

the book is so awesome. it totally surprised me, and i was completely immersed in it for days. if you only read one book this year, make sure it's MOAG

theleg · 3 Feb 2006 at 09:12

The film was mediocre...and didnt touch on the war at all, other than portraying the japanese as victims..

Which is why i can understand it being censored..It was censored because of the reaction it would evoke from the chinese, not because of any political reasoning.

Otacon · 3 Feb 2006 at 10:06

Balddog said:
and didnt touch on the war at all

Did the book explore it more, then?

theleg · 3 Feb 2006 at 10:28

Otacon said:
Did the book explore it more, then?

No clue, ive not read it...

Sic · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:09

iirc, not really. although it's been a long while since i read it

Takhisis · 4 Feb 2006 at 11:01

No not really - more the effects that the war had on the Geishas, their way of life and everything that they knew

Gilly · 4 Feb 2006 at 12:04

Sic said:
the book is so awesome. it totally surprised me, and i was completely immersed in it for days. if you only read one book this year, make sure it's MOAG

Really? That good?

I'm reading the Count of Monte Cristo at the moment so it has a lot to live up to...

Sic · 4 Feb 2006 at 13:02

Gilly said:
Really? That good?

I'm reading the Count of Monte Cristo at the moment so it has a lot to live up to...

it really is a very good book. obviously, my recommendation doesnt come with a money-back guarantee, but it's well worth a read. one of few user-friendly pieces of literature that i actually got into and enjoyed (another being Angels and Demons...but those 2 are pretty much it!)

Gilly · 4 Feb 2006 at 18:53

Well, if you're not guaranteeing me cash back I'm not going to bother!

Sic · 4 Feb 2006 at 22:22

Gilly said:
Well, if you're not guaranteeing me cash back I'm not going to bother!

hehe

kbc · 5 Feb 2006 at 02:08

Reason for censorship? "...evoke memories of Japanese wartime aggression towards mainland women"

Can't understand any real strong reasoning for the censorship of the "movie" itself in China - the movie was excellent and didn't explore much of the war in detail and was predominantly focused on the lives of being a geisha, origin HK myself but if it just means trying to keep the Japanese happy and avoiding public criticism then so be it... =/ Fair enough, Ziyi wasn't Japanese... guess that argument was dominant enough for the ban.