'Memoirs of a Geisha' wraps filming

KYOTO, Japan, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Filming has wrapped in Japan on the long-awaited film "Memoirs of a Geisha," Japan Today reported Monday

Director Rob Marshall and seven cast members were on hand to celebrate the end of shooting in Kyoto. The bulk of the film was shot in Los Angeles.

Producer Steven Spielberg sent a video message declaring the movie, based on Arthur Golden's book, was a culturally appealing story that would appeal to audiences in any country.

The film stars Ziyi Zhang, Gong Li, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe, Koji Yakusho, Kaori Momoi, Yuki Kudoh and Suzuka Ogo.

"Memoirs" takes place in 1920's Japan, and follows Nitta Sayuri, a girl taken from her home at the age of nine and sold to a geisha house.