Mao’s Last Dancer

Overview

At just 11 years old, Li is taken from his impoverished village in China by Madame Mao's cultural representatives to train in ballet in Beijing. During a 1979 cultural exchange in Texas, he meets and falls for an American woman. After two years, Li successfully defects, embarking on a remarkable journey that sees him shine as a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet and later as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet. His story is one of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of artistic freedom amidst political constraints.