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Mao's Last Dancer: A Journey from Poverty to the World Stage

Derek Cook

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Mao's Last Dancer is a 2009 Australian biographical drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Chi Cao. The film is based on the 2003 autobiography of the same name by Li Cunxin, a Chinese ballet dancer who defected to the United States in 1981. The film follows Li's journey from his humble beginnings in rural China to his eventual success as a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet.

Mao's Last Dancer (Movie Tie-In)

by Joshua Jay

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1892 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	530 pages

Li Cunxin was born in 1961 in a small village in Shandong Province, China. His family was poor, and he began working in the fields at a young age. At the age of 11, Li was selected to join the Beijing Dance Academy. He quickly rose through the ranks, and by the age of 18, he was performing with the Shanghai Ballet Company.

In 1979, Li was invited to perform in the United States. He was amazed by the freedom and opportunity that he saw in America, and he decided to defect. He returned to China to say goodbye to his family, but he was arrested and imprisoned. After spending three months in prison, Li was released and allowed to leave China.

Li arrived in the United States in 1981 and joined the Houston Ballet. He quickly became a principal dancer, and he performed with the company for 17 years. Li retired from dancing in 1998, and he now works as a choreographer and teacher.

Mao's Last Dancer is a powerful and inspiring story about a young man who overcame incredible odds to achieve his dreams. The film is a must-see for anyone who loves ballet, history, or a good underdog story.

Cast

Chi Cao as Li Cunxin
Bruce Greenwood as Ben Stevenson
Amanda Schull as Elizabeth Mackey
Kyle MacLachlan as Charles Foster
Joan Chen as Madam Mao

Reception

Mao's Last Dancer received critical acclaim upon its release. The film was praised for its powerful story, beautiful cinematography, and superb performances. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Score.

Mao's Last Dancer is a must-see for anyone who loves ballet, history, or a good underdog story. The film is a powerful and inspiring reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Mao's Last Dancer (Movie Tie-In)

by Joshua Jay

4.6 out of 5