Posted By: laurensummerhill
Has anyone seen this movie? It's a hilarious portrayal of a town Geisha name Lotus Blossom.
When watching this movie, you have to keep in mind that it was created in 1956. Try to get passed the idea of Marlon Brando playing a Japanese man named Sakini. There is a great deal of stereotypes and cultural insensitivity, but much of this is done with self deprecating and sarcastic humour, satirizing both American and Japanese culture. When we first meet Sakini, he shares this amusing thought:
In Okinawa, wash self in public bath with nude lady, quite proper. But picture of nude lady in private home quite improper. In America, statue of nude lady in park win prize, but nude lady in flesh in park win penalty. Conclusion: Pornography, question of geography.
The setting is in Okinawa, where the army is trying to teach the locals about democracy and open up a school. As part of his welcome, the villagers give the Captain Lotus Blossom, a Geisha, who promises to serve him well. Horrified at the prospect, he wants her returned, but having no home there's nowhere to send her. The scene continues to unfold amusingly, as Lotus Blossom tries to put the Captain's Kimono on for him (actually it's his bathrobe), and wrestles him to the floor in the attempt. He concedes to put her up in a storage room.
When Lotus Blossom is sent to the front of the line for her Rice Rations by the male villagers, ahead of many frustrated women, a small riot ensues. The women insist there is discrimination and it's undemocratic. The Captain calls head office wanting Lotus Blossom relocated, but every commander has already thrown her out of their villages.
The women of the village storm the Captain's home, insisting that they do not want discrimination eliminated. They simply want to give Lotus Blossom fair competition. They want red lipstick, face powder, and lessons on being a Geisha from Lotus Blossom.
Depressed and frustrated the commander lays down in utter exhaustion. Lotus Blossom asks if he wants to share his troubles, as that's what she's trained to do. Then praises him for being the best boss she's ever had, since he never takes money form her. This inspires his inner Dudly-Do-Right to flare up in her defense.
Sakini tries to explain to the commander that there is nothing immoral in the action, as Lotus Blossom pays dues to the Geisha guild and is in good standing. The captain will hear none of it, explaining that his country also has prostitutes:
" We have them in our country but we don't have unions and we don't set rates and we don't pay dues!"
An interesting protest, as his words make the Japanese Geisha seem more civilized. He has a hard time understanding Lotus Blossom as anything but a prostitute, until Sakini explains what she is paid to for:
Poor man like to feel rich, rich man like to feel wise. Sad man like to feel happy, so all go to Geisha house, and tell troubles to Geisha girl. She listen very politely, she say, "Ah, that's too bad". She very pretty, she make tea, and she sing and she dance. Pretty soon, troubles go away. So, that not worth something boss?
Enamored of this softly painted portrait, the Captain asks Lotus Blossom to teach the Ladies League for Democratic Action, the art of being a Geisha. However, once the women are appeased and trained, the men have their own demands. There is no teahouse for the women to preform in! The American army has shipped supplies to build a schoolhouse, and the town has exercised it's Democratic rights and voted unanimously for a teahouse.
Once again rife with uncertainty and a sense of duty, the Captain is seduced by another romantic portrayal, this time by a town elder:
There are lovely teahouses in the big cities, but the men of Tobiki have never been inside them. We are too poor. All of my life, I have dreamed of visiting a tea house. Where paper lanterns cast their light in the lotus pond, and the bamboo bells hanging in the pines tinkle as the breezes brush them. But this picture is only in my heart, I may never see it. I am an old man sir, I shall die soon. It is evil for the soul to depart this world ridden with envy or regret. Give us our teahouse sir, free my soul for death.
Who could resist? The village explodes in applause, and joyously goes to work building the teahouse.
Soon we see the Captain has becoming quite accustom to the simple luxuries of this small village. In a lovely calming scene, Lotus Blossom plays the Shamisen to the Captain, singing to him as he blissfully reclines, eyes lost in some far away place.
When the teahouse finally opens it's doors, we see the villagers dressed in kimonos. No more earth colored rags, thanks to their new lucrative career in brewing Sweet Potato Brandy. The entire village bows as the Captain arrives. We see the old man's talk was not just a sales pitch. It is beautiful and serene. A work of art. Decadent, warm and community binding.
Then we get the pleasure of an authentic teahouse performance. The dancing women of the village, in stunning kimonos. Lotus Blossom revealed for the Geisha's dance, elegant, fragile, focused on the smallest of details. The fan dance is expertly executed. Kimonos changes planned in perfectly coordination. The wisdom of what at first seemed uncivilized is unveiled.
This movie is well worth hunting down, but it's not easy to do so. It was a great pleasure to watch something so positive.
-- Modified on 2/5/2013 9:54:09 PM
-- Modified on 2/5/2013 9:57:44 PM
