Based on the novel by Arthur Golden, and set in Japan in the years before World War II. Chiyo, a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house. There, she is forced into servitude, receiving nothing in return until the house's ruling hierarchy determines if she is of high enough quality to service the clientele. After rigorous years of training, Chiyo becomes Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang), a geisha of incredible beauty and influence. Winner of three Academy Awards, and three BAFTAs.