Geisha Banned in China; Pirates Rejoice

There won't be a theatrical release of Memoirs of a Geisha in China, which has finally and officially banned the movie. Rather than welling up with nationalist pride from so many of its actors being showcased on the world film scene, the Chinese government has gone the other way and is apparently bothered by so many Chinese actors portraying Japanese characters.

Geisha was given the seal of approval from China's powerful film regulator Sarft (State Administration of Radio, Film and Television) and distributors had been awaiting a release date.

But sources in the film business say the decision to ban Rob Marshall's film came from higher up in the government. They say senior officials fear the sight of some of China's most beloved actors - Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, as well as the Hong Kong star Michelle Yeoh - playing Japanese courtesans could prove inflammatory.

This ban could be news to the many Chinese who -- taking advantage of the country's plethora of pirated movies -- have already seen it on DVD.

It's easy to see how China's ban of a movie with top Chinese stars in the home of movie piracy may be the equation that makes Geisha the most pirated movie in history.