Hollywood film Memoirs of a Geisha has been banned in China after coming in for criticism in the country's media.

The decision to cast Chinese actresses Ziyi Zhang and Gong Li in leading roles as Japanese women has caused controversy in China.

Critics say it is insensitive because of Japan's atrocities during their occupation of China in the 1930s.

The Oscar-nominated film, based on Arthur Golden's 1997 novel, was due to be released next week.