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Mao’s Last Dancer

Film · 2009

At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he falls in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet.

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01

The people who made it

35 of 48

Behind the camera

  1. Cunxin Liwriter
  2. Jan Sardiwriter
  3. Bruce Beresforddirector
  4. Troy Lumexecutive producer
  5. Mark Warnereditor
  6. Christopher Gordoncomposer
  7. Peter Jamescinematographer
  8. Geng Lingproducer
  9. Sue MacKayproducer
  10. Jane Scottproducer
  11. Herbert Pinterproduction designer

On screen

  1. Chi Caolead actor
  2. Joan Chenlead actor
  3. Kyle MacLachlanlead actor
  4. Bruce Greenwoodlead actor
  5. Chengwu Guosupporting actor
  6. Wen Bin Huangsupporting actor
  7. Wang Shuangbaosupporting actor
  8. Penne Hackforth-Jonessupporting actor
  9. Aden Youngsupporting actor
  10. Jack Thompsonsupporting actor
  11. Amanda Schullsupporting actor
  12. Camilla Vergotisguest actor
  13. Cory Viguest actor
  14. Jane Hardersguest actor
  15. Leslie Bellguest actor
  16. Madeleine Eastoeguest actor
  17. Robin Choiguest actor
  18. Steven Heathcoteguest actor
  19. Xiguo Wuguest actor
  20. Yang Liguest actor
  21. Chan Cheuk-Faiguest actor
  22. Deni Hinesguest actor
  23. George Ellisguest actor
  24. Gibson Nolteguest actor
03

From the people who made Mao’s Last Dancer

74
  1. And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself2003 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  2. Driving Miss Daisy1989 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  3. Double Jeopardy1999 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  4. Shine1996 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  5. Ladies in Black2018 · FilmExceptional· 6 shared
  6. Paradise Road1997 · FilmStrong· 5 shared
  7. Last Dance1996 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  8. The Notebook2004 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  9. Black Robe1991 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  10. The Contract2006 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  11. Tender Mercies1983 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  12. Adoration2013 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  13. Her Alibi1989 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  14. Breaker Morant1980 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  15. Peace, Love & Misunderstanding2011 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  16. Evelyn2002 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  17. Mr. Church2016 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  18. Bonnie & Clyde2013 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  19. Dolores Claiborne1995 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  20. I, Frankenstein2014 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  21. The Water Horse2007 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  22. Saving Mr. Banks2013 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  23. Rush1991 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  24. Weird Science1985 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  25. Roots2016 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  26. Leap of Faith1992 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  27. The Chamber1996 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  28. Abandon2002 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  29. Pacific Heights1990 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  30. The Running Man1987 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  31. A Soldier's Story1984 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  32. Rocky III1982 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
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04

Through the cast

126
  1. Autumn in New YorkJoan Chen2000 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  2. The Blood of HeroesJoan Chen1989 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
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  4. The Trigger EffectKyle MacLachlan1996 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  5. Heaven & EarthJoan Chen1993 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  6. Twin PeaksKyle MacLachlanJoan Chen1990 · TV seriesNotable· 2 shared
  7. The Challenger DisasterBruce Greenwood2013 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  8. ExoticaBruce Greenwood1994 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  9. WedlockJoan Chen1991 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  10. Sheep Without a ShepherdJoan Chen2019 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  11. Blue VelvetKyle MacLachlan1986 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  12. Riley's First Date?Kyle MacLachlan2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  13. On Deadly GroundJoan Chen1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  14. Batman: Gotham by GaslightBruce Greenwood2018 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  15. Marco PoloJoan Chen2014 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  16. The Last EmperorJoan Chen1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  17. Saving FaceJoan Chen2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  18. One Night StandKyle MacLachlan1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  23. DC Showcase - Batman: Death in the FamilyBruce Greenwood2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  24. HamletKyle MacLachlan2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  26. Elephant SongBruce Greenwood2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  27. Batman: Under the Red HoodBruce Greenwood2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  29. Disturbing BehaviorBruce Greenwood1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  30. The House with a Clock in Its WallsKyle MacLachlan2018 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  31. DuneKyle MacLachlan1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  32. Against the WallKyle MacLachlan1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  33. ShowgirlsKyle MacLachlan1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  34. Gerald's GameBruce Greenwood2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  35. Thirteen DaysBruce Greenwood2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  36. HachikoJoan Chen2023 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  37. The DoorsKyle MacLachlan1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  38. Hollywood HomicideBruce Greenwood2003 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  39. Confess, FletchKyle MacLachlan2022 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  40. BelowBruce Greenwood2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  41. The HiddenKyle MacLachlan1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  42. Endless LoveBruce Greenwood2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  44. Firehouse DogBruce Greenwood2007 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  45. Eight BelowBruce Greenwood2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  46. FeedJack Thompson2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  47. Poker FaceAden YoungJack Thompson2022 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  48. Racing StripesBruce Greenwood2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  49. The World's Fastest IndianBruce Greenwood2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  51. CaponeKyle MacLachlan2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  52. KodachromeBruce Greenwood2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  53. TeslaKyle MacLachlan2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  54. The TreePenne Hackforth-JonesAden Young2010 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  55. The RiverBruce Greenwood2012 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  56. BelieveKyle MacLachlan2014 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  57. A Murder at the End of the WorldJoan Chen2023 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  58. Excess BaggageJack Thompson1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  59. Flesh + BloodJack Thompson1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  60. Mystery RoadJack Thompson2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  61. ReckoningAden Young2019 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  62. Center StageAmanda Schull2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  63. The HuntedJoan Chen1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  64. The ResidentBruce Greenwood2018 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  65. TigertailJoan Chen2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  66. RectifyAden Young2013 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  67. Breathe InKyle MacLachlan2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  68. Judge DreddJoan Chen1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  69. Sorority WarsAmanda Schull2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  70. AvaJoan Chen2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  71. Don't Be Afraid of the DarkJack Thompson2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  72. Devil's GateAmanda Schull2018 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  73. Here on EarthBruce Greenwood2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  74. High Flying BirdKyle MacLachlan2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  76. Justice League: The New FrontierKyle MacLachlan2008 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  77. The Fall of the House of UsherBruce Greenwood2023 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  78. Man-ThingJack Thompson2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  79. Oh. What. Fun.Joan Chen2025 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  80. Good KillBruce Greenwood2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  81. FlightBruce Greenwood2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  82. Rules of EngagementBruce Greenwood2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  83. Hemingway & GellhornJoan Chen2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  84. The Assassination of Richard NixonJack Thompson2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  85. TruthBruce Greenwood2015 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  86. Barney's VersionBruce Greenwood2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  87. Remarkably Bright CreaturesJoan Chen2026 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  88. The Sweet HereafterBruce Greenwood1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  89. Passenger 57Bruce Greenwood1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  90. Super 8Bruce Greenwood2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  91. The Librarian: Quest for the SpearKyle MacLachlan2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  93. Fathers' DayBruce Greenwood1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  94. SpectralBruce Greenwood2016 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  96. Desperate HousewivesKyle MacLachlan2004 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  97. 12 MonkeysAmanda Schull2015 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  98. The CaptiveBruce Greenwood2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  99. The FlintstonesKyle MacLachlan1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  100. Young JusticeBruce Greenwood2010 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  101. Fathers and DaughtersBruce Greenwood2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  102. Wild OrchidBruce Greenwood1989 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  103. The CoreBruce Greenwood2003 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  105. The PostBruce Greenwood2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  106. Déjà VuBruce Greenwood2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  107. Sex and the CityKyle MacLachlan1998 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
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  110. Star Trek Into DarknessBruce Greenwood2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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  118. PortlandiaKyle MacLachlan2011 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  119. Midnight in the Garden of Good and EvilJack Thompson1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  120. I, RobotBruce Greenwood2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  121. CosiAden Young1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  122. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesJack Thompson2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  123. The Crocodile Hunter: Collision CourseAden Young2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  124. Devil's KnotBruce Greenwood2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  125. Original SinJack Thompson2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
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