An Australian Film premiered in September of 2009 based on an autobiography of Li Cunxin portayed by Birmingham Royal Ballet principal dancer Chi Cao.  Australian Ballet dancer Chengwu Guo and Huang Wen Bin. The film also stars Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen and Amanda Schull.

It is a very powerful story on the perspective of a young boy who emerged to be a virtuous dancer in china during Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the 60’s/70’s. He was sent by his family to the Party’s Dance School (which also undergone great struggle for transformation and departed from the European classical dance) and developed to be a very powerful dancer and represented his country in the United States. In America, he assimilated more techniques and wowed international dance enthusiasts which further gave honor to his country China. The leadership in his country constantly forewarned him not to be deceived by the promises of capitalism in his interaction with other dancers in the west. The conflict stated when the main character started to assimilate the culture of America and even falling in love with an American female dancer. This perceived betrayal led his party leader in the US embassy to demand that he leave and go back home to china. He did all he can to defy the order and acquire a legitimate reason to stay by marrying the American lover. The struggle (illegal detention) in the Chinese embassy ensued a diplomatic crisis covered by the international media. China had to let him go and had to declare him persona non-grata barring him from coming home to see his parents and siblings.

The movie covered a lot of issues which to date remains controversial and relevant. It was ironic that of his parents sacrificed him and gave him up to the party only to be charged and ostracized of betraying to party. His mom blamed the party for making what her son has become. However, not all conflict can be resolved but time can change a lot of things and temperaments. In the end, his parents were able to come to the US to watch and be honored by his performance and he was able to come home to his family again.

This is a very good movie to be that can be used not only in history class but also in other social science classes and can be equally relevant.