---
title: "Mao\u2019s Last Dancer"
year: 2009
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/mao-s-last-dancer-2009"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 33870
imdb_id: "tt1071812"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 117
community_rating: 6.6
vote_count: 125
content_rating: "PG"
---

# Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/mao-s-last-dancer-2009

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Topic: Film "Mao's Last Dancer" (2009).
Role: Meticulous television and film archivist.
Constraints:
Write ONLY verifiable facts from provided SYNOPSIS and SOURCES.
No inventing/guessing (titles, names, dates, etc.).
Original, neutral, encyclopedic prose.
Plain text only (no markdown, no asterisks, no headings, no bullet points).
Word count: 150-190 words.
First sentence must not contain spoilers.
No spoilers in the first sentence.
Title: Mao's Last Dancer.
Year: 2009.
Genre: Drama and Romance.
Runtime: 1h 57m.
Rating: PG.
US Release Date: 08/20/2010.
Based on: Li Cunxin's 2003 autobiographical memoir of the same name.
Plot: At age 11, Li was taken from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates to study ballet in Beijing. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he falls in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect. He went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet.
Cast/Portrayal: Li Cunxin is portrayed by Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Chi Cao, Australian Ballet dancer Chengwu Guo, and Huang Wen Bin.
*

## The Hook & The Verdict

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | Kanopy | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **Australia (AU)** | Stan | None | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Bruce Beresford
- **Networks / Studios**: Great Scott Productions Pty. Ltd.

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Bruce Greenwood** as *Ben Stevenson*
- **Kyle MacLachlan** as *Charles Foster*
- **Joan Chen** as *Niang*
- **Chi Cao** as *Li Cunxin - adult*
- **Amanda Schull** as *Elizabeth Mackey*
- **Wang Shuangbao** as *Dia*
- **Aden Young** as *Dilworth*
- **Jack Thompson** as *Judge Woodrow Seals*
- **Penne Hackforth-Jones** as *Cynthia Dodds*
- **Chengwu Guo** as *Li Cunxin - teenage*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream or watch Mao’s Last Dancer online?
Mao’s Last Dancer is currently available to watch or stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store. Check our live regional availability tracker above for latest direct streaming, subscription, rent, or purchase options.

### Q: Is Mao’s Last Dancer worth watching?
Mao’s Last Dancer holds a community rating of 6.6/10 based on 125 verified viewer ratings. It offers engaging Drama, Romance for fans of the genre.

### Q: How long is the movie Mao’s Last Dancer and when was it released?
Mao’s Last Dancer is a feature film with a runtime of 117 minutes. It was released in 2009. Release status: Released.

### Q: Who directed Mao’s Last Dancer?
Mao’s Last Dancer was directed by Bruce Beresford.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Mao’s Last Dancer — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/33870)
- [Mao's Last Dancer (2009) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1071812/fullcredits/)
- [Mao's Last Dancer (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao%27s_Last_Dancer_(film))
- [Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) - Cast & Crew - The Movie Database ...](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/33870-mao-s-last-dancer/cast)
- [Mao's Last Dancer](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q622877)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*