"Before you can fly, you have to be free"

I can't sleep tonight... just came back from my first red carpet movie premier of Mao's Last Dancer. I didn't know what to expect... is it going to be a good adaptation of Li CunXin's life?  Am I going to be disappointed?

I had met and heard Li speak at a breakfast meeting a few months back and was really encouraged by his strength and determination not to mention courage to leave his family and to start a new life.  When I was told that there was going to be a movie premier, I grabbed the opportunity.

Market Street was a flurry of activity from 6pm.  There was security everywhere and we could only get through with our tickets.  I walked in at 6pm, feeling a bit intimidated with all the flashing lights and the red carpet... uuhh oohhh... will I be photographed?  Alas, I'm no celebrity...  The crowd started to come in and we were served with champagne while waiting for the movie to start. 

The State theatre was the perfect venue for the screening of this movie.  The acoutics was great and what better way to enjoy this movie than at a grand theatre with ornate ceilings and carvings on the doors.

Prior to the movie starting, we were introduced to the cast by the Australian producer, Jane Scott and a few words from Li CunXin.  Must say the casting was done very well and the actor who played the adult Li was a student at Birmingham Ballet.  It is a good thing that he can dance as well as act - they chose well.

The movie was an excellent adaptation of Li's life up until the peak of his career.  It captured the emotions as well as the triumph and spirit that he had to endure in a new country.  The movement from the past to the present also flowed very well.  The dancing and the choreography was beautiful and it was accompanied by a great soundtrack which depicted and captured the essence of the story well.

A great movie which inspired us to appreciate the art of ballet more.  After dinner, we adjourned to the Swissotel for a Chinese banquet.  The policemen were on duty to stop traffic to allow us to cross the road.

We were ushered in to the hotel foyer by sounds of gongs playing and lions heralding our arrival.  The function room was beautifully decked out with lanterns and fans and red tablecloths.  The menu was a Chinese banquet and featured the traditional cuisine.

After Li spoke, there was then an auction to raise funds for the Australian Ballet as well as the Bionic Ear Institute which Li is passionate about as his eldest daughter was born stone deaf.  Incidentally, this part of his life was not portrayed in the film.  Li was sad that his father could not be with him tonight as he passed on about 2 months ago.

All in all, it was a great night...

As the film distributor said in his speech, "... the success of the film depends a lot on word of mouth...", so, I'm recommending all of you who are reading this to go watch the movie.  It is a beautiful movie, very well done and has a great story to tell.  The actor has a great physique and can definitely do the piroutte.  Sigh!!

An you are thinking of buying the book, watch out for the new edition as it has additional chapters bringing readers up to date with the important people in his life and how this movie came about.  The new edition has the picture of the actor (Chengwu Guo) with the Chinese flag behind it.

Awesome, Breathtaking, Emotional...
"BEFORE YOU CAN FLY, YOU HAVE TO BE FREE"