Mao's Last Dancer

Mao's Last Dancer

Mao's Last Dancer

Nine | June 8, 2013

Media arts

Ethical understanding

Personal and social capability

Dance

Classification: Parental Guidance

Based on the award winning autobiography, comes this AFI Award-winning film about Li Cunxin's journey from a poor Chinese village to international ballet stardom.

Overview

Based on the award winning autobiography, comes this AFI Award-winning film about Li Cunxin's journey from a poor Chinese village to international ballet stardom.

Clips from Mao's Last Dancer

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Li's test in Qindao

Li's test in Qindao

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts

Li's test in Qindao

Lis early life, the officers visit, Li tells his parents he has been chosen for a special test.

Li's Early Life

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts

Lis early life, the officers visit, Li tells his parents he has been chosen for a special test.

Li arrives in Beijing and has his first ballet lesson.

Beijing

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts

Li arrives in Beijing and has his first ballet lesson.

Li's parents arrive, watch him perform and are reunited with him.

Li is a Star

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts

Li's parents arrive, watch him perform and are reunited with him.

For use with 10.2 ENG

- memoir

- village life

VILLAGE_Flashback to village life

Years 9-10 Media arts

For use with 10.2 ENG - memoir - village life

Government representatives check that Li isn't related to any 'class enemies'

Any 'class enemies' in the past three generations?

Years 9-10 Media arts

Government representatives check that Li isn't related to any 'class enemies'

Cunxin leaves for Beijing.

Cunxin leaves his village

Years 9-10 Media arts

Cunxin leaves for Beijing.

The officials arrive. Clap them. "The East is Red, the Sun is Rising,...."

Cunxin in the village and at school

Years 9-10 Media arts

The officials arrive. Clap them. "The East is Red, the Sun is Rising,...."

- Mao's image in the background

- His favourite dance partner

Mao at ballet school

Years 9-10 Media arts

- Mao's image in the background - His favourite dance partner

Father shares a story

FABLE_Frog and the Well, Father

Years 9-10 Media arts

Father shares a story

Nightclub scene

NIGHTCLUB_Presidents

Years 9-10 Media arts

Nightclub scene

US-China Friendship Association

Asked to leave

"the Party knows what is best for you"

Mao's photo on the wall

They want to

CHINESE CONSULATE_"The Party knows what's best for you"

Years 9-10 Media arts

US-China Friendship Association Asked to leave "the Party knows what is best for you" Mao's photo on the wall They want to

"big house"

"you have a big family?" - "no, it's just me"

"This all for me?"

------------------------------------------

Li Cunxin goes to Houston, Texas, in 1981

Years 9-10 Media arts

"big house" "you have a big family?" - "no, it's just me" "This all for me?" ------------------------------------------

1. Li Cunxin speaks with an official at the Houston Chinese Consul office

2. The frog was stuck, the toad was high

3. village

The frog in the deep well

Years 9-10 Media arts

1. Li Cunxin speaks with an official at the Houston Chinese Consul office 2. The frog was stuck, the toad was high 3. village

"I don't want to leave you"

"Son, you must go."

"Go on son, go far, far away"

"Make a better life for yourself"

"Sleep now,

Li makes the difficult decision to leave his mother

Years 9-10 Media arts

"I don't want to leave you" "Son, you must go." "Go on son, go far, far away" "Make a better life for yourself" "Sleep now,

American material excess (consumer culture in the USA)

Li Cunxin feels sick about how many things were bought in a single day

Beijing 1973 - Beijing Arts Academy (students struggled together)

Years 9-10 Media arts

American material excess (consumer culture in the USA) Li Cunxin feels sick about how many things were bought in a single day

- we currently have the highest standard of living

- capitalist nations have the lowest

- it is "unimaginable" in capitalist a

In the first stage of communism. "The govt. will see to every need."

Years 9-10 Media arts

- we currently have the highest standard of living - capitalist nations have the lowest - it is "unimaginable" in capitalist a

Bobby and Li speak together

- "You love President"

- "Oh Li, I don't even like him"

- "You not scared?"

- "No, this is Ame

"I love Chairman Mao"

Years 9-10 Media arts

Bobby and Li speak together - "You love President" - "Oh Li, I don't even like him" - "You not scared?" - "No, this is Ame

Teacher Gao said that Li had flat fleet.

Li states that he doesn't understand ballet and has no idea why he was selected."

"Y

Li to Teacher Chan: "if you really want to help your family, you can"

Years 9-10 Media arts

Teacher Gao said that Li had flat fleet. Li states that he doesn't understand ballet and has no idea why he was selected." "Y

Madame Mao watches Li Cunxin dance in Beijing

Madame Mao wants the ballet to be more political

Years 9-10 Media arts

Madame Mao watches Li Cunxin dance in Beijing

Vaganova method in Russia produces the best dancers.

Teacher Chan wants to develop a new method which is fluid, beautiful. He i

The Archer / Teacher Chan / Revolutionary Ballet

Years 9-10 Media arts

Vaganova method in Russia produces the best dancers. Teacher Chan wants to develop a new method which is fluid, beautiful. He i

- He dared to speak up

- "I heard he was a counter-revolutionary"

- Li opens up the VHS (inside the wooden box from Teacher Ch

Teacher Chan is taken away by guards :(

Years 9-10 Media arts

- He dared to speak up - "I heard he was a counter-revolutionary" - Li opens up the VHS (inside the wooden box from Teacher Ch

New leader: Comrade Feng

Gang of Four

Sentenced to life in prison

Beijing in 1980

- Ben Stevens goes to Beijing. Li is sta

Li works so hard / Mao dies / people grieve / Li dances with Mary

Years 9-10 Media arts

New leader: Comrade Feng Gang of Four Sentenced to life in prison Beijing in 1980 - Ben Stevens goes to Beijing. Li is sta

Elizabeth had broken her ankle

He supports her

His name means 'keep my innocent heart'

She was in a production of The Nutcr

Li Cunxin meets - and gives a lesson to - Elizabeth (his future wife)

Years 9-10 Media arts

Elizabeth had broken her ankle He supports her His name means 'keep my innocent heart' She was in a production of The Nutcr

Li Cunxin is called "a chink" in the street.

Ben tells him a lie.

Li Cunxin experiences racism

Years 9-10 Media arts

Li Cunxin is called "a chink" in the street. Ben tells him a lie.

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