Drama
127 min
PG for a brief violent image, some sensuality, language and incidental smoking
Starring:
Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Amanda Schull, Joan Chen, Alice Parkinson, Jack Thompson, Aden Young, Christopher Kirby, Chi Cao
Synopsis:
This is the inspirational true story of Li Cunxin, adapted from his best-selling autobiography and telling how, amidst the chaos of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, he was chosen to leave his peasant family and sent on an amazing journey - as it turned out towards freedom and personal triumph. Li’s story unfolds as China was emerging from Mao’s grand vision. It couldn’t have been a better time for Li Cunxin to discover the west and for the west to discover Li Cunxin. This is about how Li overcame adversity, discovering and exploring his natural abilities and talent as a great classical dancer. This meant not only dealing with his own physical limitations but also eventually the punishment meted out by a highly suspicious Chinese government after Li’s defection to the US. In America Li found a completely different and captivating new world - but there were other difficulties he could never have imagined. Here is a poignant yet triumphant story that has the ability to touch both worlds.