Mao's Last Dancer is a 2009 Australian film based on the autobiography of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin. The film follows Li's journey from a poverty-stricken village in China to becoming one of the most successful ballet dancers in the world.
At the age of 11, Li is selected by Madame Mao's cultural delegates to attend the Beijing Dance Academy. Despite the initial difficulty in adapting to the rigorous training, Li quickly excels and becomes a star pupil. When he is chosen to participate in a cultural exchange program to America, he is exposed to Western culture for the first time and falls in love with a young woman named Elizabeth.
Upon his return to China, Li is tasked with performing for the Chinese government. However, his desire to reunite with Elizabeth leads him to defect to America. Once in the United States, Li becomes a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and gains international recognition for his performances. He eventually returns to China to reunite with his family and showcase his talent to his homeland.
The film explores themes of cultural conflict and personal identity, as Li struggles to reconcile his Chinese heritage with his newfound Western ideals. The stunning ballet performances throughout the film add a beautiful element to the story, showcasing Li's sheer talent and passion for dance.
Mao's Last Dancer was directed by Bruce Beresford and stars Chi Cao as Li Cunxin, Bruce Greenwood as Ben Stevenson (Li's mentor), and Joan Chen as Niang (Li's mother). The film received critical acclaim and won several awards, including Best Feature Film at the 2010 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards.
