ACF 696: More "Mao's Last Dancer" news!

The latest interview of Li Cunxin was on THE TODAY SHOW with Ann Curry. She proclaims that MAO’S LAST DANCER is one of the best films she has ever seen!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Also, those lucky enough to be in the NYC area this weekend will have a chance to hear Li Cunxin comment on the film and his experience in person! The showing of MAO’S LAST DANCER tonight, 9/24 at 7pm and Saturday, 9/25 at 4:15pm at The Paris Theatre in NYC will include a post-screening Q&A session with Li Cunxin! It’s a rare opportunity that can’t be missed!

Please visit http://schedule.samuelgoldwynfilms.com/films/mao%27s+last+dancer/ to get more ticket information on these special NY screenings in addition to details on other showtimes taking place across the country!

ACF 656: MAO's LAST DANCER opens today in select U.S. cities

MAO’S LAST DANCER, presented by Samuel Goldwyn Films and ATO Pictures, opens today in select U.S. cities. It is based on the remarkable true story of renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from an impoverished life in rural China to true stardom on the international stage, brought to life by a talented cast including Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull and newcomer Chi Cao.

Official Synopsis:
From Academy Award® nominee Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY, TENDER MERCIES) comes MAO’S LAST DANCER, the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from a poor upbringing in rural China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer. Based on the best selling 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 compellingly captures the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.



MAO’S LAST DANCER stars Chi Cao, a gifted dancer and principal at the Birmingham Royal Ballet making his impressive screen debut as Li Cunxin. The cast is rounded out by Bruce Greenwood (STAR TREK; THE SWEET HEREAFTER), Kyle Maclachlan (“Sex and the City”; “Desperate Housewives”), Joan Chen (LUST, CAUTION; THE LAST EMPEROR) and Amanda Schull (CENTER STAGE; “One Tree Hill”).

The official MAO’S LAST DANCER page: http://www.facebook.com/maoslastdancer.

You can also hear Wall Street Journal Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Joe Morgenstern's review on his Friday, August 20th, 2010 KCRW Film Reviews podcast, also downloadable in the Podcast section of The iTunes Store.

ACF 646: Li Is Chosen - clip from Mao's Last Dancer, coming August 2oth, 2o10

Here's one of several clips from MAO’S LAST DANCER, which will be released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and ATO Pictures in select U.S. cities on August 20th. MAO’S LAST DANCER is based on the remarkable true story of renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from an impoverished life in rural China to true stardom on the international stage



Follow the journey on Facebook by visiting the official MAO’S LAST DANCER page: http://www.facebook.com/maoslastdancer.

ACF 641: Four new clips from upcoming MAO'S LAST DANCER

Samuel Goldwyn Films and ATO Pictures are making available four new clips from the upcoming release of MAO’S LAST DANCER, which will open in select US cities on August 20th, 2010.

Click on the links below to view the clips at YouTube.

“Li is Chosen” Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Luc8KYJEE

“Liz and Li” Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWgWmdISinw

“Charles Foster” Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwEYCCDwDIA

“Li’s Mother” Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFs9njSWU8

Watch the trailer at YouTube by clicking here.

MAO’S LAST DANCER, from Academy Award nominated director Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY, TENDER MERCIES), is based on the remarkable true story of renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from an impoverished life in rural China to true stardom on the international stage, brought to life by a talented cast including Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull and newcomer Chi Cao. The film is already one of the biggest box office successes of all-time in Australia.

Follow the journey on Facebook by visiting the official MAO’S LAST DANCER page: http://www.facebook.com/maoslastdancer

ACF 637: Mao's Last Dancer in select U.S. cities starting August 20th, 2010

MAO’S LAST DANCER will be released in select US cities on August 20th by Samuel Goldwyn Films in conjunction with musician Dave Matthew's film company, ATO Pictures. Already one of the biggest box office successes of all-time in Australia, the movie is based on the remarkable true story of renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from an impoverished life in rural China to true stardom on the international stage, brought to life by a talented cast including Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull and newcomer Chi Cao.

Official Synopsis:
From Academy Award® nominee Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY, TENDER MERCIES) comes MAO’S LAST DANCER, the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from a poor upbringing in rural China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer. Based on the best selling 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 compellingly captures the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.

MAO’S LAST DANCER stars Chi Cao, a gifted dancer and principal at the Birmingham Royal Ballet making his impressive screen debut as Li Cunxin. The cast is rounded out by Bruce Greenwood (STAR TREK; THE SWEET HEREAFTER), Kyle Maclachlan (“Sex and the City”; “Desperate Housewives”), Joan Chen (LUST, CAUTION; THE LAST EMPEROR) and Amanda Schull (CENTER STAGE; “One Tree Hill”).

Follow the journey on Facebook by visiting the official MAO’S LAST DANCER page.

Trailer on YouTube.

ACF 617: Mao's Last Dancer to screen at AAIFF on Saturday, July 17th, 2010

MAO’S LAST DANCER is based on the remarkable true story of renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin’s journey from an impoverished life in rural China to true stardom on the international stage, brought to life by a talented cast including Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull and newcomer Chi Cao. Already one of the biggest box office successes of all-time in Australia, Samuel Goldwyn Films will be releasing MAO’S LAST DANCER in conjunction with musician Dave Matthews’ film company, ATO Pictures, in select US cities on August 20th.

Prior to it's opening in select U.S. cities in August, Mao's Last Dancer will be shown at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York City on Saturday, July 17th, 2010, at 6:00 PM. For info about that screening, click here.

Follow the journey on Facebook by visiting the official MAO’S LAST DANCER page.

Trailer on YouTube.

ACF 481: Exhibition of Korean Dance-Drama Masks at The Korea Society NY to open March 4th, 2010

Masks of Night

Faces from Traditional Korean Dance-Dramas

Opening Reception Thursday, March 4 2010, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The gallery at The Korea Society (NY) will host an exhibition of masks used in Korean dance-dramas. Evolved from ancient shamanic rituals into a form of popular theater, these dance-dramas were performed both at the Korean royal court and throughout the countryside. The exhibition will run from March 4th through May 28th, 2010. The gallery should prove perfect for an intimate experiencing of these objects from Korea's cultural past.

There will also be a Gallery Talk entitled Korean Masked Dance-Drama: Enchanted Fertility Rite and Social Satire on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Theresa Ki-ja Kim, Professor Emeritus, Department of theatre Arts, SUNY Stony Brook, will speak on "how Korea's unique tradition of masked dance-dramas masterfully blended fertility rite, social satire, and popular entertainment."

Gallery Talk on Thursday, April 1, 2010

6:00 PM - 6:30 Pm - Registration and Reception

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Presentation and Q&A

Register for the Gallery Talk online at www.koreasociety.org, or for more information contact Heewon Kim at 212.759.7525, ext 355 or heewon.ny@koreasociety.org.

Gallery Hours

March 4, 2010 - May 28, 2010

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor

(Building entrance on SW Corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street