Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha

As someone who's familiar with both Asian and Western cinema, this movie was incredibly disappointing. I, an American, watched it with a friend from mainland China, and neither of us could follow most of what was happening. The lead actress shows absolutely no emotion throughout the entire film-honestly, a robot could have played her role, and you wouldn't have noticed a difference. Yet, somehow, every character she meets falls head over heels for her. Why? I found myself laughing at the dialogue, but not in a good way. The same monotonous score plays over and over again, making it even more unbearable. Easily one of the worst films I've ever endured.

Dark Feathers: Dance of the Geisha stands as a testament to the power of independent cinema, imbued with an aura of mystery and a rich tapestry of cultural references. It delves into the intricate tapestry of geisha traditions in Japan, an enigmatic world that holds a profound allure for myself, and presumably for many others.

From start to finish, the film provides a singular, captivating journey that is as visually stunning as it is narratively engaging.

The filmmaker adeptly navigates a delicate tightrope between cultural sensitivity and the artful unfolding of the narrative. I eagerly anticipate the director Crystal Huang's future creative endeavors.

The cinematography is great. There are lovely scenes in beautiful settings ranging from Northern California to traditional Japanese temples. There is an interesting mix of Asian and Western cultures. The traditional Japanese outfits and ceremonies open the window to another culture. This is contrasted with equally beautiful Western dance scenes. The dancers move with such grace and athleticism! They are truly skilled dancers. The lead actress Crystal Huang is beautiful and enigmatic as befits her role as a mysterious temptress .

The plot however is difficult to follow at times and the viewer is left with questions about the underlying relationships and histories between some of the characters.

This movie has a complicated plot with several twists. But beyond the surface, we all want to be understood, loved or accepted by a higher power. Dark Feathers is more than a fancy symbol, it is the true essence of human nature. I think if you are attracted by other people, you are more likely is felling love with yourself. We think we cannot help to love another person more than anything, but in the fact, if you find love in your heart and truly accept yourself, then it is hard for you to be lost by beauty or beast. There is misery of why the dancing parters are all falling in love with the main role, no matter they are men or women. That's the part of this movie to me is a little bit beyond my understanding and knowledge about Geisha.

GIven the numerous glowing reviews, I went into this movie expecting it to be at least watchable. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was incoherent and felt like it barely made any sense. The lead actress, Kate, was particularly unconvincing-her facial expressions were static, and she delivered a performance so stiff that a robot might have done a better job!

I had really hoped to support Asian representation in Hollywood, but struggled to find anything positive to say about this film. It's hard to believe that people gave it ratings of 8, 9, or even 10-I can't help but wonder if those were from the cast's friends and family.

For me, this is easily one of the worst movies I've ever watched, regardless of genre or representation. Utterly disappointing.