REVIEW: DVD Release: Sakuran

Film: Sakuran
Release date: 12th January 2009
Certificate: 15
Running time: 111 mins
Director: Mika Ninagawa
Starring: Anna Tsuchiya, Kippei Shiina, Yoshino Kimura, Hiroki Narimiya, Miho Kanno
Genre: Drama
Studio: ICA
Format: DVD
Country: Japan

First time director Mika Ninagawa captures a vibrant interpretation of a the manga series of the same name, and Japanese idol Anna Tsuchiya brings the main character to life as a bad girl rising her way up the ranks from servant girl to the highest courtesan, known as an oiran.

The pre-credits begin in a flurry of cherry blossom, appropriate as sakura translates to cherry blossom, and they feature throughout. We see the not quite linear narrative of Kiyoha, sold into the Yoshiwara pleasure district as a maid when she was young; she is rebellious and rude, even as a child. Her attempts at running away are always thwarted, and she is told that it doesn’t matter where you are in life, every place is the same.

Enveloped in this world of women, she is raised to be a courtesan and singled out early by the current oiran as not only having potential and the spirit needed to be successful, but also the tenacity to maintain her position.

Soon after her debut, Kiyoha is quickly established as one of the most popular girls in the district, despite her young age. She has learnt the tricks of the trade well, and men can’t get enough of her. Such success, however, inevitably invites jealousy from the other girls, and tensions bubble to boiling point. It’s not long before she attracts the attentions of a handsome client and they fall for each other, but she is soon to learn that age old lesson that the road of love for a courtesan is never easy or obstacle free...


Sakuran is shot in an extremely vibrant and lively environment, perfectly capturing the slightly more garish world of courtesans compared to geisha. In every scene, the surroundings and colours are constructed perfectly. There is a heavy emphasis on red in most shots, obviously bringing to our mind the passion which this film is focused around. Yet the occasional shot of nature is astonishingly beautiful, particularly the cherry blossom which surrounds the city. It is filmed in a playful way, much like the character of Kiyoha - a little bit rude and abrupt, yet dreamy. In a film about prostitutes, one might expect plenty of shots of seedy trysts, and whilst there are a few, there are also some surprisingly intimate and tasteful scenes as well.

Whilst the narrative might come across as a typical story of the ambitions of a young girl turning to a love story, it brings something more to the tale than that. It explores the occasionally toxic environment of the working girls, the jealousies that grow, and the deceit which is inherent in the position. It highlights the trials and tribulations facing these girls: the desire to escape, desire to love, and the reality that it is near impossible. The mood is one of a harsh reality that the girls can only attempt to make the best of, despite their disdain for the job and their hope to escape it.

Anna Tsuchiya plays the role of troublesome Kiyoha to perfection. Bursting onto the acting scene with her role as tough-girl yanki in Kamikaze Girls, in which, despite her constant head-butting and spitting, she brought a certain charm and tenderness to the role - exactly what she does here. Supported by the other strong performances, she plays Kiyoha as cheeky and likeable, insolent, but tender-hearted deep down, illustrated in some truly touching emotional scenes later on.

One of the more surprising aspects of the film is its innovative soundtrack. Throughout the film, it swaps between Japanese jazz, big band sound, soulful female singers, J-pop and even grunge. A veritable melting pot of modern music, and all utilised extremely effectively depending on the scene. Occasionally during montage sequences, the shots have been made to fit the music, making them punchy and effective. Although the music might appear heavy handed, it fits in with the playful style that the film has throughout.


Sakuran plays out like a high contrast Memoirs Of A Geisha, but with less restraint, more fun - and a lot more smut. A touching and modern take on the life of working girls in the Edo period. If nothing else you’ve read about the story and performances grab you, the film’s recommended for the stunning visuals alone.