Set in 18th Century Edo, Japan - “Sakuran” traces the life of Kiyoha as she ascents from the lowly courtesan ranks to the high class position of Oiran in the steamy red-light district of Yoshiwara.

“The oiran were women that existed during the Edo era. The oiran lived in self-contained “Pleasure Quarters” and like geishas were required to be well-versed with the arts of dance, music, poetry and calligraphy, and conversation. However, unlike geishas, the oiran were prostitutes, although they were considered to be elite prostitutes.”

“Sakuran” (based from a popular manga by Moyocca Anno) takes the familiar feudal era Tokyo and infuses it with the hip modern day style of Tokyo. Yes, this isn’t going to be your typical Samurai / Geisha film.

To make things even more interesting, the movie was helmed by first time director Mika Ninagawa. Prior to “Sakuran” Mika Ningaawa was well regarded in the modern art world for her contemporary style as a photographer. This may lead you to believe that Sakuran will have visuals to droll over and if so, you’re right on the money. Vibrant hues of red and gold lavish the film throughout. The film’s pop art like backdrops would be comparable to Tetsuya Nakashima’s (Kamikaze Girls/Memories of Matsuko) films and in a way draws its lineage from Andy Warhol rather than Akira Kurosawa. Interesting enough, Mika Ninagawa is the daughter of legendary stage director Yukio Ninagawa. This bring up an interesting parallel with Sofia Coppola, another hip female director, whose father is a well renown director. Also, similar to Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette,” Mika Ninagawa infuses her film, which is set in a classical period, with a modern soundtrack.

This certainly wouldn’t have been the first time a Japanese director has done such a thing. Simply reference the hilarious “Samurai Fiction” or the campy – but always fun - “Azumi” for prior Japanese films that used modern music in traditional film genres. Unlike “Azumi,” where its campy heavy metal soundtrack felt more like a distraction rather than a piece of the puzzle, the soundtrack for “Sakuran” just worked. Running the gamut of rock, techno and big band sounds, the soundtrack (performed by Ringo Shiina) was as compelling as say….Shunji Iwai’s “Swallowtail Butterfly.”

As you’re indulging in all these sensory experiences the story itself moves along in a less spectacular but still compelling manner. The film stars Anna Tsuchiya (Kamikaze Girls) in the central role of Kiyoha. The choice to have Anna Tsuchiya play Kiyoha was as contrasting as those pop-art like visuals or modern rock soundtrack. Because of Anna Tsuchiya’s mixed ethnicity her appearance in the traditional courtesan role seemed as dramatic as those other contrasts in style. If you have never seen Anna Tsuchiya before in a movie before you just may think to yourself…”Damn…I didn’t know Jodie Foster could speak Japanese so well” when you watch Sakuran.

In the movie, Kiyoha is a feisty young courtesan (prostitute) that sought true love rather than power or wealth. All the powerful Samurai’s were smitten with her beauty and her courtesan abilities. While all the powerful figures fawned over her, Kiyoha fell in love with men of lower rank. Unfortunately, the two men that she loved either didn’t reciprocate in the same manner or found it acceptable to pursue such a woman (initially at least).

Sakuran is a movie that impresses with style and pizazz. Visually the movie is comparable with Tetsuya Nakashima’s films, while the soundtrack effectively used a broad array of modern genres to turn up the ambiance. Anna Tsuchiya worked well as a symbolic piece to Mika Ninagawa’s puzzle…similar to the goldfishes that were so prominently placed in the film. Simply stated “Sakuran” is an enjoyable feast for the senses.