BEIJING, Feb. 6 -- The Chinese film authority has canceled the release of "Memoirs of a Geisha" ¡ª a decision made amid speculation that the sight of Chinese actresses playing Japanese geishas would stir up a backlash.

    The film originally was cleared for distribution on Feb. 9, but the State Administration of Radio, Film and TV reversed itself over the weekend, according to Sony Pictures Entertainment, which had planned to distribute the film in China.      

    The official reasons were not immediately clear, and the Chinese film authority could not be reached because of the national holiday.     

    "Memoirs," based on the best-selling novel by Arthur Golden, features "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star Ziyi Zhang, former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li from "Raise the Red Lantern" as geishas ¡ª the traditional Japanese entertainers skilled in dance, song and conversation.

    The casting choices had stoked tensions even before the film's scheduled release in China, with postings on a Chinese Web site denouncing Zhang as an embarrassment to China.     

    Producers Douglas Wick ("Gladiator") and Lucy Fisher and director Rob Marshall ("Chicago") previously told media the casting was an exhaustive, meticulous process that considered acting ability, star power and physical appearance.     

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily-Agencies)