HOUSTON, May 3, 2024 — Asia Society Texas was thrilled to welcome former Houston Ballet principal dancer Li Cunxin back to Houston for a screening of the film Mao's Last Dancer, followed by a panel discussion with Li, immigration attorney and former AST board chair Charles Foster, and former Houston Ballet artistic director Ben Stevenson, moderated by Ambassador Chase Untermeyer.

Mao's Last Dancer, adapted from Li's memoir of the same name, details his incredible life story and early career as a dancer. Growing up in rural China, he was one of a few children chosen to join and train with the Beijing Dance Academy during the Cultural Revolution, and was later selected to accompany Ben Stevenson back to Houston to train and dance with the company for a summer. When he decided to remain in the United States, Li was forcibly detained at the Chinese consulate in Houston and was eventually released through the assistance of Charles Foster. He eventually became a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet and has been recognized as one of the premiere dancers of his generation.

Following the sold-out film screening, the panelists spoke about the real-life events portrayed in the film, agreeing that the overall scope of events was accurate besides a few elusions and adjustments made for dramatic effect. Li said he appreciated the accuracy of the scenes that took place in both rural China and Beijing while Foster and Untermeyer filled in more behind-the-scenes details of Li's release, as the legal complications and bureaucratic maneuverings were more complex and byzantine than shown onscreen. Stevenson clarified that his trip to China with the Houston Ballet as depicted in the film was one of many cross-cultural exchanges and trips, while Li spoke more about his later career, including his transformational tenure as artistic director at the Queensland Ballet in Australia.

Li spoke movingly of having Foster, Stevenson, and his wife Mary with him that evening, acknowledging the impact of the three people who helped him achieve so much in his life, from a poverty-stricken childhood in China to incredible success as a ballet dancer, teacher, and artistic director, all captured in a bestselling memoir and popular film.

"If someone had told my family that this would be their sixth son's journey, they would have told him he is a lunatic," Li said. He also recognized Houston as a magical place that "changed my life beyond my wildest dreams [...] and will remain special in my heart for as long as I live."

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.