My Geisha

Set in the mid-20th century studio era, the narrative mirrors Hollywood's demand for spectacle and star power. It contrasts on-location shoots in Japan with backroom budget negotiations and premiere theatrics. The story uses stage-like premieres to examine how performance influences perception and fame.

The story unfolds on location in Japan, where Paul searches for a lead actress and hosts a dinner party that doubles as a geisha performance. A portion of the production takes place in Hollywood studios, where the film is planned to be shot in black and white with a limited budget. The settings juxtapose traditional Japanese imagery with Western filmmaking, highlighting the clash between authentic culture and studio spectacle.

🎭 Identity

The film probes how people perform to fit or escape expectations. Lucy adopts a geisha disguise and a new persona to influence the film's direction, testing the boundary between art and self. Paul seeks to control the narrative to ensure sole artistic credit, risking genuine relationships in the process. The plot's reversal of colors and the backstage revelation force a reckoning about who owns a performance.

🎬 Ambition

Ambition drives both star and director as they chase recognition within a demanding studio system. Paul wants independence from Lucy's fame and imagines Butterfly as his stepping stone to true artistry. Lucy pursues legitimacy and an Oscar by orchestrating a performance that reveals her deception only at the premiere. The story critiques how budgets, marketing, and prestige shape creative choices.

🏯 East-West

The plot uses East meets West as a lens to examine stereotypes and the commodification of culture. Japanese geisha imagery is embedded in a Hollywood production, turning tradition into spectacle. Characters navigate clashing expectations, revealing both respect and tension between two cinematic worlds. The finale braids the two cultures as the audience applauds both performance and heartbreak.