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IMDbPro

Mao's Last Dancer

  • 20092009
  • PGPG
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
Chi Cao and Camilla Vergotis in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
The true story of ballet dancer Li Cunxin, from his humble origins and training in Beijing to his American defection and later move to Australia.
Play trailer2:27
6 Videos
43 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Music
In Maoist China, a boy is taken from his family and trained to become a dancer, but everything he knows is challenged when he is chosen to attend a ballet summer school in Houston, Texas.In Maoist China, a boy is taken from his family and trained to become a dancer, but everything he knows is challenged when he is chosen to attend a ballet summer school in Houston, Texas.In Maoist China, a boy is taken from his family and trained to become a dancer, but everything he knows is challenged when he is chosen to attend a ballet summer school in Houston, Texas.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bruce Beresford
  • Writers
    • Jan Sardi(screenplay)
    • Cunxin Li(autobiography)
  • Stars
    • Chi Cao
    • Bruce Greenwood
    • Kyle MacLachlan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bruce Beresford
  • Writers
    • Jan Sardi(screenplay)
    • Cunxin Li(autobiography)
  • Stars
    • Chi Cao
    • Bruce Greenwood
    • Kyle MacLachlan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 60User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 20 nominations

    Videos6

    Mao's Last Dancer
    Trailer 2:27
    Mao's Last Dancer
    Mao's Last Dancer: “Looking for a Replacement”
    Clip 1:38
    Mao's Last Dancer: “Looking for a Replacement”
    Mao's Last Dancer -- "Muffin"
    Clip 0:54
    Mao's Last Dancer -- "Muffin"
    Mao's Last Dancer - Exclusive Clip
    Clip 1:24
    Mao's Last Dancer - Exclusive Clip
    Mao's Last Dancer: “Don Quixote”
    Clip 1:00
    Mao's Last Dancer: “Don Quixote”
    Mao's Last Dancer
    Clip 1:23
    Mao's Last Dancer

    Photos43

    Joan Chen and Shuangbao Wang in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Amanda Schull and Chi Cao in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Bruce Greenwood, Steven Heathcote, and Camilla Vergotis in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Chi Cao and Camilla Vergotis in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Chengwu Guo in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Chi Cao and Camilla Vergotis in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Chi Cao and Camilla Vergotis in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Kyle MacLachlan in Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Jane Fonda at an event for Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Jane Fonda at an event for Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Jane Fonda at an event for Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
    Jane Fonda at an event for Mao's Last Dancer (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chi Cao
    Chi Cao
    • Li - as an adultas Li - as an adult
    Bruce Greenwood
    Bruce Greenwood
    • Ben Stevensonas Ben Stevenson
    Kyle MacLachlan
    Kyle MacLachlan
    • Charles Fosteras Charles Foster
    Penne Hackforth-Jones
    • Cynthia Doddsas Cynthia Dodds
    Christopher Kirby
    Christopher Kirby
    • Masonas Mason
    • (as Chris Kirby)
    Suzie Steen
    Suzie Steen
    • Betty Louas Betty Lou
    Madeleine Eastoe
    • Lorias Lori
    Aden Young
    Aden Young
    • Dilworthas Dilworth
    Wen Bin Huang
    • Li - as a childas Li - as a child
    Shu Guang Liang
    • Jing Tring - 8 yrsas Jing Tring - 8 yrs
    Ye Wang
    • Cunfar - 14 yrsas Cunfar - 14 yrs
    Neng Neng Zhang
    • Gong Meias Gong Mei
    Wan Shi Xu
    • Shen Yuas Shen Yu
    Shao Wei Yi
    • Yang Pingas Yang Ping
    Hui Cong Zhan
    • Teacher Songas Teacher Song
    Ji Feng Sun
    • Headmasteras Headmaster
    Zhi Xue Chai
    • Official Guanas Official Guan
    Chang Suo Zhang
    • Official Chan Fengas Official Chan Feng
    • Director
      • Bruce Beresford
    • Writers
      • Jan Sardi(screenplay)
      • Cunxin Li(autobiography)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Chi Cao's parents were two of Cunxin Li's former teachers at the Beijing Dance Academy. Li wanted Cao to portray him.
    • Goofs
      When Liz is leaving for San Francisco, She is driving out of the street. In the corner, it is obvious in the corner there is a street post saying "Darling St." in Sydney, with the City of Sydney logo on it. This scene is played in Houston.
    • Quotes

      Li - as an adult: Ben not understand. He's too much in love with China

    • Connections
      Featured in Huckabee: Episode dated 25 September 2010 (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      The East Is Red
      Written by Li You Yuan and Li Huna Zhi

    User reviews60

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    inspiring story and a truly brilliant movie
    To be honest, I've never actually finished Li's book. I had the vague idea its about a boy from my hometown that went on to become one of the best ballet dancers, but then, being a Chinese immigrant myself, I'm not particularly pleased with people 'cashing in' on their stories. After all, his story, in fact, was of particular interests to westerners because of the clashes of cultural identities between two worlds, which i and many thousands if not millions more overseas Chinese experience everyday. But after watching the movie, I have to say I loved it. The directing truly captured the struggle of a man torn apart between what 'ought to do' and what 'should do'.

    I was born in Qingdao, China.So the connection between me and Li's story is very strong. Mr. Li is just about my parent's generation, so in a way, I can see his struggle in my own world, everyday. Qingdao is never short of artistic talent, to many, artistic talent is the only way out. 'There's no national boundaries in art', my parents used to tell me. When I was five my parents bought me my first piano, which cost them an entire year's savings, but it was seen as a valuable investment, 'art will pave the way to success', they used to say. Like my classmates in the piano class, I used to rise up 5 in the morning and practice until its time to go to school, only to come home then stay practicing until 10. Going to Beijing and to study in one of the national music academy would be many of my fellow classmate's dream. I can feel the pride Li's parents had when he went to America, I can also feel the pain he felt when he decided to stay in America. To Li and many others, to become what he was when he went to Beijing would be everything anyone could ever wanted. What more can he hope to achieve? He could've been the best ballet teacher in China, with fame and fortune to boot, but he threw all that away because of love and freedom. I don't believe it was because of money or fame, it was simply a choice made in a heartbeat by a young man who believes in himself.Was it selfish? I don't know. I'm confronted with this question everyday while I'm in Australia, to many Chinese and spectators, Li's action is selfish indeed, abandoning his duties, his parents and his place in the society pursuing freedom and love in a westerner's world. But the longer I stayed in western world, the harder I ponder that question, what is duty? and more importantly, what is a son's duty to his parents? to his nation? The value system is obviously very different back then, Li, who's seeking individual happiness didn't fit into a collective society like China. But, he also had the fortune to be plucked, trained and nurtured to become what he was. Should he repay his 'debt' by going back to China? or should he capitalise on what he has gained and achieve greater personal glory? It's easy to answer for anyone in a particular value group, but for Li and many Chinese overseas, it can be a life-long dilemma. After all, Li's fortunate enough to be sitting comfortably somewhere in Australia writing his book, many buried talents are somewhere in a dusted corner in China tutoring next generations of wannabe talents. But his fortune also comes from perseverance and handwork, from a heart to pursue what he truly believes in. To that end, the movie tells a brilliant story of a brave young man.
    helpful•47
    14
    • custanius-544-679001
    • Oct 1, 2009

    FAQ10

    • Is "Mao's Last Dancer" based on a book?
    • Who is Li Cunxin?
    • How does the book compare to the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • El prodigio
    • Filming locations
      • Acer Arena, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production company
      • Great Scott Productions Pty. Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,817,770
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $199,657
      • Aug 22, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,914,731
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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