"Memoirs of a Geisha"
Extension Division of the
New Center of Psychoanalysis
West Los Angeles
Presents
Friday Night at the Movies Series
"Memoirs of a Geisha”
Dr. Joan Lachkar and Professor Peter Berton discussed Asian culture
from a psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and cross-cultural perspective.
Excerpts of this movie featured not only a study of the role or woman in
an Asian culture, but opened up an entire feast in the exploration of
culture such dynamics as shame, envy, dependency ("Amae"), submission,
and group self vs. individual self were discussed.
In 1929 an impoverished nine-year-old named Chiyo from a
fishing village is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and
subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha,
Hatsumomo. Chiyo's stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of
Hatsumomo, until she is rescued by and taken under the wing of
Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo
becomes the geisha named Sayuri, and she is trained in all the artistic
and social skills a geisha must master in order to survive in her
society.
Program Coordinators
Peter Berton, Ph.D.
NCP member and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of International
Relations at USC
Joan Lachkar, Ph.D.
Affiliate member of NCP
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