Illegal DVDs bust ban on ‘Geisha’

China’s decision to ban “Memoirs of a Geisha” from being shown in theaters hasn’t put a crimp in the supply lines of illicit DVDs.

One Beijing vendor produced a copy from his sidewalk display in seconds.

“It’s a good copy,” he said, offering it for 85 cents. “Of course it’s been banned, but it doesn’t really matter. All of my supply is pirated,” he said, adding that he enjoyed the movie immensely.

After initially clearing the film for distribution, China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television reversed its decision last week over fears that the film, which features Chinese actresses playing Japanese geishas, would spur anti-Japan sentiment.