Movie magic was top of the bill as our island’s film buffs gathered last Thursday, 15 April at the Shaw Lido 1 for the opening of the 23rd International Singapore Film Festival.
| Beresford Interview |
The nine-day event kicked off with Mao’s Last Dancer, Beresford’s brilliant 2009 screen adaptation of Li Cunxin’s best-selling account of his rise from grinding poverty in rural China in the 70s to international ballet star in the 1990s.
You may not know your grande jete from a grande latte, but trust us, you don’t need to be a dance afficionado to feel exhilarated by Beresford’s latest work. A joint Australian/Chinese production, filmed in numerous locations on two continents, this massive production kept a cast and crew of thousands very busy for over 18 months.
During the reception, lucky Liesel also got to chat with the brilliant China born dancer Chi Chao who plays the adult Li Cunxin -- astonishingly this was Chi’s very first film acting role.
In another first, this was also Chi Chao’s very first time in Singapore and his impressions were…well, why don’t you see for yourself by watching the video below!
Liesel Duhon | 30 April 2010
