Cherry Blossom Tree for Memoirs of a Geisha Film
One significant achievement in the world of faux cherry blossom trees is our creation for the movie adaptation of Memoirs of a Geisha. Our 32-foot fabricated cherry blossom tree providing a stunning visual representation of some of the film’s main themes. These dialogue quotes show just how central cherry blossoms are to the plot:
Chairman: Nobu has taught me a great deal – patience, for example. And I in turn have tried to teach him: you have to savor life while you can.
Sayuri: The lesson of the cherry blossom!
Chairman: That is why Nobu likes you. We must not expect happiness, Sayuri. It is not something we deserve. When life goes well, it is a sudden gift; it cannot last forever!
The narrator touches on another cherry bloom (sakura) tree simile, saying,
My mother always said my sister Satsu was like wood; as rooted to the earth as a sakura tree. But she told me I was like water. Water can carve its way even through stone…and when trapped, water makes a new path…
Memoirs of a Geisha received numerous accolades, including the 2006 Academy Awards for Best Art Direction (John Myhre and Gretchen Rau) and Best Achievement in Cinematography (Dion Beebe). It won other similar awards that year, including Best Cinematography (BAFTA Award), Excellence in Production Design (Art Directors Guild Award), and Production Company/Location Team of the Year (California on Location Awards).
Our Artificial Cherry Blossom tree has been discussed in critiques and praise for Memoirs. The Daily Breeze wrote about the cherry blossom tree and set location/design:
“The Huntington’s Japanese Garden provided the backdrop for a cherry blossom-draped scene in “Memoirs of a Geisha.” With a reputation as a premier location, an average filming day at the Huntington costs $10,000, depending on crew size and the day of filming. For Mike Fantasia, location manager for “Memoirs,” it’s worth it. “It’s a fantastic place to film,” he said. “They take such good care of the place.” Filming for “Memoirs” took place one day in October last year. The garden was dressed up to look like the backyard of a baron’s estate, complete with a 30-foot man-made cherry blossom tree.”
The Los Angeles Times also referenced the sakura theme, noting that “the story arrives in a flurry of snow and pink cherry blossoms, swathed in silk and carefully powdered and primped for its march down the red carpet.” –A ‘Geisha’ Drenched in Cherry Blossoms
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