In the name of ideological purity and the belief that revolutionary momentum must be maintained at all costs, Mao Zedong's cult of personality led millions of Chinese to denial of personal freedom, purges, and labor. and sent to re-education camps, torture, and execution. In the period from 1949 (the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the flight of Kuomintang Chinese to Taiwan) to Mao's death in 1976, life on the mainland was scarred by extreme conditions. Land reform, great leap forward, cultural revolution, The Great Famine, and the Red Guards. The culture of authoritarianism and repression continues to this day.
It is against this backdrop of political and social turmoil that the prolific and award-winning filmmaking team of Leaf and Agnes Bristow bring ballet dancer Tia Chan's arduous journey to freedom into an epic film. I am recording it. dance in the shadows.
The story begins with Tia and her family's failed attempt to escape the mainland, and culminates in a life-changing encounter. Along the way, the film's changes in mood and tone are highlighted. Rudolf Blahacek's stunning cinematography and James Mark Stewart's transcendent music.
Cri as Extina Tonteri-Young, an accomplished ballerina herself, sweetly and charmingly plays the passionate and idealistic Tia, whose determination to follow her heart puts her at odds with her family and traditions. . Her mother (Yuni Park), a staunch traditionalist, insists on an arranged marriage with the son of her wealthy family. But Tia falls in love with Jason (the lovely and charismatic Jonathan Kim), an athlete who poses with her for a monumental sculpture of the two revolutionaries. She goes against her mother's wishes and ends up paying the price for her separation until a reconciliation is reached. Tia and Jason endure hard labor and separation from each other and their son. After the two are finally reunited, a world of possibilities and new possibilities arise when Tia is invited to a cultural exchange in London by her sympathetic fan and soon-to-be benefactor, Louise Turner (Brittany Bristowe). An entrance to a new future will appear.
Between the lines of this story are layers of experience and richly defined depictions that give the film depth, meaning, and relevance. Among the great performances is that of Marianna Pun, who plays Tia's devoted sister. Munlin Tsui (Nai Nai), Tia's doting grandmother. Russell Yuen: Nai Nai's rebellious and resentful husband. Daniel Jun plays Shi, Tia's childhood friend and unrequited suitor.
dance in the shadows spoken grandly and kindly love conquers all This story is a compelling history lesson and a moving tribute to one woman's dedication and unbridled thirst for freedom. It is also a wonderful tribute to a woman who, once she gained her freedom, dedicated herself to teaching a new generation of ballet dancers and practicing the fundamental principles of Falun Dafa: honesty, compassion, and patience.
dance in the shadows (114 minutes) Premieres at this year's Sedona International Film Festival on Friday, March 1st at 7pm at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.
Sedona International Film Festival https://cloud.broadwayworld.com/rec/ticketclick.cfm?fromlink=2293059®id=64&articlelink=https%3A%2F%2Fsedonafilmfestival.com%2F?utm_source=BWW2022&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=article&utm_content=bottombuybutton1 ~ 2030 W. State Route 89A, Suite A-3, Sedona, AZ ~ 928-282-1177
Venue: Sedona Performing Arts Center 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ ~ 928-204-6766
Photo credit: Leif Films: L to R: Jonathan Kim, Kristina Tonteri-Young
