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Clip description
Li’s (Chi Cao) first public appearance in a leading role with the Houston Ballet is a triumph – one watched with pride by his US mentor Ben (Bruce Greenwood) from the audience, and his girlfriend Liz (Amanda Schull) at home on TV.
Curator’s notes
This is where director Bruce Beresford’s decision to cast a formidably accomplished dancer pays off. Chi Cao conveys brilliantly the verve and grace of Li’s dancing. Beresford’s camera set-ups (mainly long shots of varying distance from the stage, as if viewed by different members of the live audience) and his editing choices are designed to show the spectacle of Li’s breakthrough with utmost clarity. The idea is to showcase the performance without drawing attention to the filmmaking.
