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FOR RELEASE JULY 25, 2010
CONTACT: KATE CRADY
SHAUNA TYSOR
713-316-0114
kcpr@airmail.net

MAO'S LAST DANCER
RECEIVES SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING
AT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON

Film is Based on the Life of Celebrated Houston Ballet Principal Li Cunxin

Dancer Li Cunxin, Actor Kyle MacLachlan
and Ben Stevenson in Attendance

HOUSTON, TEXAS - Houstonians have fond memories of ballet dancer Li Cunxin when he performed with Houston Ballet from 1979 to 1995. Now his inspiring story has been translated to the big screen, based on his best-selling autobiography titled Mao’s Last Dancer. Oscar-nominated Australian director Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies; Driving Miss Daisy) has made an inspirational film about Li's extraordinary journey from poverty to international stardom. Two special advance screenings of Mao’s Last Dancer will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston on Saturday, July 31. While the 6:00 PM screening is sold out, a limited amount of tickets are available for the 9:00 PM screening. Tickets for the screening, which includes a question and answer session are $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.mfah.org/film. This screening is presented by the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston Ballet, The Asia Society Texas Center, the Houston Film Commission, and the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

At the age of eleven, Li Cunxin was plucked from a poor Chinese village to study ballet at Madame Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. In the late 1970s, he came to Houston Ballet through a cultural exchange program, during which time he married an American dancer. Wanting to return home, the Chinese government resisted, which caused a dramatic international incident at the Chinese Consulate in Houston. Li Cunxin went on to perform for sixteen years with Houston Ballet and was acclaimed worldwide, later becoming a principal dancer with The Australian Ballet. He is portrayed in the film by three actors, including Chi Cao, a principal dancer with the Royal Birmingham Ballet who made guest appearances with Houston Ballet in the role of the Prince in The Nutcracker in December 2009. The ensemble cast includes Kyle MacLachlan, who plays Houston attorney Charles Foster, Bruce Greenwood who plays Houston Ballet Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson, and Joan Chen, who plays Li's mother. Filmed in China, Australia and Houston, Mao's Last Dancer was a box office hit in Australia. The film was runner up to Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire for the Audience Award at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival and winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Sao Paulo Film Festival in Brazil. Mao's Last Dancer (www.maoslastdancer-movie.com) will be released in theaters in the United States in August 2010, and in Houston at the Landmark River Oaks Theatre (www.landmarktheatres.com) on August 20.

Actor Kyle MacLachlan as well as Li Cunxin and Ben Stevenson will appear and speak briefly in conjunction with the two screenings. 

HOUSTON BALLET'S
MAO’S LAST DANCER SCREENING
FACT SHEET

WHAT: Special advance screening of MAO’S LAST DANCER
Directed by Academy Award® nominee Bruce Beresford
Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films and ATO Pictures
Special guests invited – Visit www.mfah.org/film for updates
Dancer Li Cunxin, Actor Kyle MacLachlan and
Ben Stevenson in Attendance
A reception in the museum galleries follows the screening.
Rating PG. Run time 117 minutes.

ABOUT THE MOVIE:
From the Academy Award nominated director Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies; Driving Miss Daisy), comes the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from poverty to international stardom with Houston Ballet. Based on the bestselling autobiography, Mao's Last Dancer weaves a moving tale about the quest for freedom and the courage it takes to live your own life. The film poignantly captures the struggles and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.
WHEN:Saturday, July 31, at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Museum of Fine Arts Houston
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
1001 Bissonnet Street

TICKETS: Special ticket prices apply! Individual tickets are $10. Museum of Fine Arts Houston members, senior adults, students with ID, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount on tickets. Ultimate Film Supporter level members of Film Buffs are admitted free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the Museum of Fine Arts Houston on the web at www.mfah.org/film

Opening August 20th at River Oaks Theatre, check www.landmarktheatres.com for ticket availability!