Mao's Last Dancer (2009) - full transcript

MAN: Li!

Hello!

Ni hao. Welcome to America.

Oh, its so wonderful
to see you.

- You alright?
- Yes. Yes.

Yeah? I've got some people
for you to meet.

This is Cyntha Dodds.

She's the general manager
of the company.

Pleased to meet you, Li.

And Mason Daniels.
He's on our board.

Howdy! Welcome to Houston.



And Betty Lou Bayless.

It's lovely to meet you,
young man.

- And Lori Lawley.
- Hi, Li.

I've heard so much
about you from Ben.

Lori's one of our
principal dancers.

- This is my husband, Dilworth.
- 'Knee-how', Li.

Wecome to Houston,
home of the Oilers.

Li: Upon my soul.

Have you been learning English, Li?

Oh, yes, Ben.

- I learn from this.
- Oh, fantastic!

- Uh, 'fantas...'
- Fantastic. Fantastic.

It means wonderful,
very good, great.

Oh.



Fantastic.

Big...big house, Ben.

Um...you have a big family?

No, no it's just me.

And this is your room.

Alright?

Um...this all me?

Yes, it's all yours.

(CHILDREN SHOUT)

Yaaa!

(TEACHER SHOUTS
IN CHINESE)

(BOYS SHOUT)

- You get settled alright?
- Yes.

Oh, God, we really must do somethng
about that suit.

It's me, Ben.

Yes, that's you.

Bobby's around. You'll see him.

But Mary, alas,
has gone back to Australia.

Uh... niang, dia?

Um... mother... um, father?

Oh, no. That's Vice President Bush
and his wife, Barbara.

She's patron of
the Houston ballet.

Would you like a muffin?

Mu... muffin?

Yeah.

Um... horse... horse...
m... muffin?

Crap? Shit? Horse...
(BLOWS RASPBERRY)

Horse shit?

Yes. Yeah.

No!

This is a muffin.

Here.

BEN: It's Gershwin, guys.
You've got to feel it.

Just invest a lttle more

Li, you're doing fine.
You'll pick it up. Its alright.

And... slow pli?.

And stretch it out, right?

And... up wth the accent.

Up with the accent.

Up, and down on the floor.

Lovely. Hold.

And hold.

Alright.

That's alright.

Incredible physique.

If you do say so yourself.

CHILD: Some brown ones?

MOTHER: OK, one last one
and that's enough.

Let's see.

(RINGS BUZZER)

(BICYCLE BELLS CHIME)
(PEOPLE SHOUT)

(ROUSING MARITAL MUSIC PLAYS)

(GENERATOR RATTLES)

(GENERATOR SPUTTERS)

(FIREWORKS POP)

(DRUMS PLAY)

(TELEVISION PLAYS
IN BACKGROUND)

What's wrong?

Hmm.

My father work very hard,

have 50... 50 dollar... one year.

And you spend 500... one day.

Why you... why you do this?

Li, you know, I'm not
trying to influence you.

It's justwhat people
wear here, that's all.

I think that's probably why your
government gave youthis suit.

It's just a trifle out of date,
that's all.

I must give suit back.

Well, you can give these back
when you go home.

These can be yours to have

while you're here
at summer school and...

Why bird on?

(CHUCKLES) "Don't let
the turkeys get you down."

It's not a captalist thing,
Li, it's just...

Honesty, it's just
a bit of nonsense,

like a lot of things in America.

What it mean?

It means there are times
when you just have to be strong

(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS)

(CHINESE SONG PLAYS)

(CALLS INSTRUCTIONS
IN CHINESE)

(BOY SOBS)

(SOBS)

(FARTS LOUDLY)

(BRIGHT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS)

(TEACHER CHAN
CALLS INSTRUCTIONS)

- Ni hao.
- Ni hao.

Mm.

Oh!

(TEACHER CHAN CALLS
INSTRUCTONS)

(TEACHER CHAN
SPEAKS CHINESE)

(PIANO PLAYS
SLOW MELODY)

(CALLS INSTRUCTIONS)

(CHUCKLES)

('LET'S GROOVE'
BY EARTH WIND AND FIRE PLAYS)

Here you go, Li.

Thank you.

What's this?

It's just Pepsi. Give it a shot.

I know, I know. It's...

Yeah, I know. It gets
up your nose a little.

Whoo!

- Bobby?
- Yeah?

Lori - she good dancer.

Oh, yeah, she is.

But for a principal ballerina,

she makes
a lousy disco dancer.

Hey, you wanna dance, Li?

- No.
- Aww!

Allow me.

Dilworth, you like ballet?

I like ballerinas, Li. Very agile.

Chairman Mao, huh?

Yes, I love Chairman Mao.

He do many good thing.

Can't say I feel the same
about our new president.

You love president?

(LAUGHS) No, Li,
I dont even like him.

Shhh!

You not scared?

Scared? No.

This is America, Li.

(CALLS INSTRUCTIONS)

Arabesque.

(PEOPLE CHANT)

(ELEGANT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS)

(MUSIC CLIMAXES)

(MUSIC ENDS)

(BOTH EXCHANGE GREETINGS)

(CHINESE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS)

(MUSIC SWELLS)

(MUSIC ENDS)

(BOY CHATTERS QUIETLY)

(WHISPERS)

(APPLAUSE)

(BRIGHT ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS)

Oh!

(APPLAUSE)

(WILD APPLAUSE
AND CHEERING)

NEWSREEL NARRATOR

I'm Shi Dao from
the Ministry of Culture.

Oh, thank you.

Ben Stevenson

- Welcome to Beijing.
- Thank you.

Let me introduce Mr Wang.

- (SPEAKS CHINESE)
- Hello.

Director for Beijing Academy.

- Mr Hung...
- (SPEAKS CHINESE)

BEN: A pleasure to meet you.

These are
my princpal dancers,

Mary McKendry
and Bobby Cordner.

- Hello.
- Welcome to Beijing.

- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.

- Music, please. Thank you.
- (TRANSLATES)

('PRELUDE 1: ALLEGRO
BEN RITMATO E DECISO'

BY GEORGE GERSHWIN PLAYS)

Lovely. Alright, thank you.

- (MUSIC STOPS)
- Lets, um... Lovely. Not bad.

Lets try that just from
the beginning and copy them.

Right?

Five, six, seven, eight.

(HUMS TUNE)

And five, six seven, eight.

And one, two and three. Lovely!

Lovely. That's very good. Alright.

Let's try it with music, shall we?

(MUSIC RESUMES)

Lovely. Yes, turn, turn, turn.

Travel, travel, travel, travel!

(WOMAN TRANSLATES)

Back in back in.
Energy, energy.

Right. Ready for the jump!

(HUMS TUNE)

Yes, yes, yes!

Very good, very good indeed.

Alright, back to the top.

They're so light in the air
and so strong.

But there's no emotion.

They're not connected,
I'm not engaged.

Amazing technique.

We yeah, but, you know,

they remind me more of athletes
than dancers.

All except... Theres one,
perhaps two. Certanly one.

I think I know who you mean.

BEN: And from
the port de bras, yes?

And d?velopp?.

Right, Li, get ready
to come in for the lift.

- (WOMAN TRANSLATES)
- Mm-hm.

Oh, that's really not working.

Uh... Mary, would you
stand here for a moment?

Shing Hua, stay here
for one moment, alright?

Mary, you do it. Li, would you partner
Mary, please?

And, from the beginning, yeah?

(WOMAN TRANSLATES)

Alright?

Its alright, I won't bite.

- Coud you tell him?
- (TRANSLATES)

Right. Come on, come on.

There we go.

Ni hao.

I'm Mary.

Ni hao.

(DRAMATIC STRING MUSIC PLAYS)

Minister, you have some
realy wonderful dancers here.

We've run the summer program
for several years now

and we've been
very successful.

Yeah, I see.

It's a tremendous success.

I think they're talking about us.

Probably.

Because it would be wonderful
for the Houston Ballet.

The decision would
have to be made

by the party, Mr Stevenson.

Oh, of course,
I understand. Yes.

Alright.

BOBBY: How'd it go?

Well, they're going to
consider it.

I expect they take it
to the highest level.

MARY: Well, how long
will that take?

It's not up to me. It's up to
the Chinese Government.

WOMAN: We're ready for photograph,
Mr Stevenson.

Alright.

(GENTLE PIANO MUSIC PLAYS)

Hi.

Um... I can go if you
want to use the studio.

No, um, stay.

Watch.

Arabesque

Um... foot... stretch

Oh, I can't.

Um, my ankle, I broke it.

Right here. They put a rod in it.

When they took the cast off
my calf had shrunk two inches.

It's fine now, I think.
It's just my confidence.

I'm sorry, you don't understand.

Um, I-I understand.

- You do?
- Uh...

No.

- En pointe. En pointe.
- OK.

This, turn out.

Yeah.

Better.

I'm Elizabeth, by the way.

Everyone calls me Liz.

- Liz?
- Yeah.

Like Li.

Everyone call me Li.

Yeah, I know who you are.

Li Cunxin.

- 'Schwinsin'?
- Mm.

That's really beautiful.
What does it mean?

Um, it mean...

...'keep my innocent heart'.

Um... you dance with company?

Oh, no. No.

I was in the corps of...
'Nutcracker' once,

butthats as close as
I've come to getting a contract.

This is my second time
in the full-time program

trying to get Ben to notice me.

(LAUGHS)

- LI: Ben?
- BEN: Yeah?

Today, in street, someone speak me

word I not understand.

Um, not find in here.

What was it?

Um... 'chink'.

What it mean?

Um, let's see.

Do you know when
youre in the theatre,

and everyone is getting seated
andthe curtain is closed,

if the stage light is on,

and the curtain parts
just a tiny little bit

then the light from the stage
shines through

what we call a chink
in thecurtain.

So if someone calls you
a 'chink', Li,

what it means is that...

...they see the light
that's there inside of you.

Oh! Oh... fantastic.

And trace the leg,
follow the line.

Nice, Lori.

Pull back. Just feed her out.

And extend the leg. Lovely.

Good, good.

Yeah, yeah.
Very good. Very good. Alright?

LI: In Chnese, we say 'will go',

'go today', 'go tomorrow',
'go yesterday,

'you go', 'I go', 'she go',
'we all go'.

- (LAUGHS) Right.
- Much, much easier.

English changes all time.

Youre doing very well.

(SPEAKS CHINESE)

Thank you.

Chnese official not come here.

What do you mean?

- She lau ban
- Lau ban?

Um... boss person.

In China, class enemy.

She looks like an opera diva.

What? What is it?

I am with you, American girl.

Mm-hm.

Make trouble for Ben.

No.

It's OK. No one has to know.

Um... here. Try this.

What is it?

It's, um, vegetable from sea.

Good?

- God, it's so hard to chew
- Hard to chew.

- Yeah, like English!
- (LAUGHS)

Um...

Thank you very much,
Elizabeth... um, Liz.

Thank you, Li.
I had a nice night.

Nice night?

(HUMS)

(KEYS JINGLE)

Hello!

Hi.

Where have you been?

Uh... I go Chinatown.

Um... movie - watch movie.

- A kung-fu movie?
- Yes, Ben. I go bed now.

Nice night.

Goodnight.

Huh?

GOOD... night.

Oh, yes Uh... good... night.

Very good.

Fantastic.

(DRAMATIC PIANO
MUSIC PLAYS)

(MUSIC ENDS)

Alright, yeah, just a litte more
over the shoulder next time.

I want to take it from the lift.

- Just a ttle more sustained.
- Sure.

OK? Because I thlnk
you have time musically.

- Oh, yeah.
- Alright.

So, seven, two, three,

eight, two, three...

(HUMS TUNE)

And up with the accent,
and hold a little longer.

- Argh!
- Bobby!

What have you done?
What's happened?

Oh, God.

Argh, sorry.

- Oh, Christ.
- LORI: They'll bring you some ice.

What about one of
the principals or soloists?

Well, they're all away
on vacation.

David Trembath's
at Galveston.

Wel he can make it
here in time, surely.

- Li's better than he is.
- It's tonight, Ben.

And Li's just a student here.
The union wont allow it.

Ben, this is the biggest night
on the arts calendar.

How's he supposed to learn
'Don Quixote' in three hours?

He already knows the solo.

All he has to learn
is the pas de deux.

Everybody who is anyone
is gonna be here tonight,

including the Vice President.

Yes I know, but Li told me

he once danced forthe great
Madame Mao - we're alright.

But he's Chinese.

What I mean is...

I mean, he can't play
a Spaniard, can he?

Well, unless I'm mistaken, Betty Lou,

I distinctly remember

Marlon Brando playing
a Japanese villager.

Oh, I loved that movie!

CYNTHIA: Ben, what if he's not up to it?

He's up to it, Cynthia.

And keep the Spanish feel,
keep that attitude.

When you come out of
the ? la seconde,

just do it with as many
pirouettes as you can.

And be sure to finish
on the music.

That's...

It's not too late, Li.
I mean, we can cancel.

Um, no.

- Um, I can do this, Ben.
- No, you can do it.

I know you can do it. Go from
the top of the pas de deux?

- The beginning?
- Yes. From the beginning.

OK.

And... tomb?, pas de bourr?e,
glissade, lift, pirouette.

Tomb?, arabesque, soutenu,

get close to her,
ready for the one-arm lift.

OK.

OK.

MAN: When the show starts, if you can't
see there, you can...

WOMAN: Oh, thanks.

MAN: I hate the opera.

WOMAN: But they have
the ballet too.

MASON: I just hope
it all works out.

MAN: (OVER P.A.) Ladies and
gentlemen, take your seats.

Tonight's performance of
'Die Fledermaus'

will commence in two minutes.

REPORTER: Vice President Bush
and his wife, Barbara,

are attending the opening of

Houston Opera's
summer season

'Die Fledermaus',
by Johann Strauss.

Stars of the Houston Ballet
are also...

- CYNTHIA: Oh, hi.
- BEN: Hello.

You better be right,
Ben Stevenson.

Consul Zhang,
so glad you could make it.

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS OVERTURE)

Lori, um... woman dancer
called, um... 'ballerina'.

What you call man?

'Danseur noble'.

Not nice, not like 'ballerina'.

OK well how about
Big Ballerino?

Ballerino.

I like.

All set, Big Ballerino?

All set, Big Ballerina.

(GERMAN ACCENT)
Ladies und gentlemen,

I would like to present to you all

two very special guests
from sunny Spain.

(BRIGHT MUSIC FROM 'DON QUIXOTE'
BY L. MINKUS)

(MUSIC STOPS)

(AUDIENCE TTTERS NERVOUSLY)

Oh, come on.

(CHINESE STRING MUSIC)

- (SIGHS)
- (ORCHESTRA RESUMES)

Not bad.

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS ROUSING MUSIC

FROM 'DON QUIXOTE'
BY L. MINKUS)

Oh, boy.

Fantastic!

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Bravo! Bravo!

(MUSIC RESUMES)

(MUSIC ENDS)

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Bravo! Bravo!

How 'bout that, huh?

Bravo!

OK. Oh, wait, wait, wait.

There's a card.

OK

(READS) "The lucky carp
wind chime.

"Legend has itthat
as the carp swims upstream,

"it has to leap..."

"... over many obstacles,

"and with the final leap

"it turns into
the celestial dragon."

Li, wait.
Slow down one second.

Um...

I'm a virgin.

Um... a virgin?

It means I've never
done it before.

Done what?

I've never had sex before.

You know what sex is?

Yeah.

One, two, three, four, five, sex!

(LAUGHS) No. No.

- No?
- No, no.

It's how a man and a woman
make a baby together.

You want to make a baby?

No! No.

No, no, no, no. No!
That's not what I'm tryng to say.

No. What I'm... what I'm...

Never mind.

('SUPERFREAK'
BY RICK JAMES PLAYS)

So the roster for the opening week
of 'Swan Lake'

will be posted today, but Li
wil be guesting Bobby's role.

You've got to be kidding, right?

No offence, Li,
but I'm Bobbys understudy.

Of course you are, David.

It's just an opportunity for Houstonians
to see Li dance

before he goes back, that's all.

Alright?

In fact, I have applied
to the Chinese Government

for permission for us all
to tour China next year.

- MASON: Thats right.
- LORI: I'll be in that.

- BOBBY: Oh, yeah, me too.
- Hey, you just stay injured.

It'd be a first for
an American company.

(SUPERFREAK
CONTNUES PLAYING)

(HUMS)

More kung-fu?

Yes More kung-fu.

Fantastic.

Goodnight.

Goodnight!

(HARPIST PLAYS CADENZA
FROM 'SWAN LAKE' BY TCHAIKOVSKY)

CONSUL ZHANG: Thank you
for com ng, Mr Stevenson.

BEN: No, not at all.

CONSUL ZHANG: I received a telex
from Beijing last night.

I'm sorry, but the request

for Cunxin to have
his stay extended

has been refused.

But I thought...

Is there anything we can do?

No, Mr Stevenson, there isn't.

Li, don't worry. I'll...

You'll be able to come back.
I'll make sure of it.

I'll do everything I can.

I promise.

Ben not understand.

He's too much
in love with China.

In China, not so easy.

Tell you what to do,
where to go, what can say.

Maybe I can't come back.

You know, I must dance
political ballet in China,

but I dance better here.

Because feel more... free.

MAN: Well, there are several
optons available for you

to stay in the United States,
if that's your wish.

Seeking political asylum is one,

but that's the last option
I'd recommend

because it means
youd have to defect.

LI: No, no defect.

LORI: Li's worried abouthis family.

He doesn't want to make things difficut
for them.

He also wants to be able
to go back and see them.

OK, well, from what
I've read and heard about you,

I'm certain we'd be
able to qualify you,

based on your extraordinary skills
as a performing artist.

DILWORTH: What would
be involved, Charles?

Well, we'd have to get
supporting statements

and a petition signed
by an employer,

the Houston Ballet Company,
no doubt.

Alternatively, if you were
in a relationship

or planning to
get married soon

and your spouse was
a US citizen,

well, there would be
no issue whatsoever

because the Chinese Government

recognises international
marriage laws.

Are you in a relationship, Li?

Uh, do you have a girlfriend?

No, he doesn't.

Uh yes, I have, um,
American girlfriend.

- You what?
- How about that! Who is she?

LORI: Really?

Well, first of all

I would strongly advise against
a marriage of convenence,

unless of course it was
a serious relationshp you're in.

If there's one thing worse
than an immgration problem,

it's a marriage problem.

Is it a serious relationship, Li?

LORI: Is it serious,

Li?

BEN: On behalf of the Houston
Ballet Company

and all of us who've had

the privilege of
seeing you dance, Li,

I'd like to say how exciting
it's been having you here.

You came as a student
and leave here as a star.

Um... just...

Thank you, Ben.

And...

... thank the audience.

Thank you, America.

(DINERS CHATTER)

WOMAN: Mr Stevenson,

were ready for the photograph
with Consul Zhang.

- BEN: Excuse me.
- MAN: Of course.

I don't know.
Has anyone seen him?

I'll just ask you
to step in together.

Great.

Thank you.

Consul, Anita Jones.

Anita's the arts editor
for the 'Houston Chronicle'.

- I'm pleased to meet you.
- Pleased to meet you too, sir.

Mind if I get a few words
from you about Li

and what it means to China
to have had him here?

Of course.

- Excuse me.
- Sure.

I see it as another
postive step in...

He's not at the theatre.

- Did you try my place?
- Sure. No answer.

Sir, we're ready to serve.

Do you mind if we just wait...
just a little longer?

- Yes, sir.
- Thank you. Thank you.

- They're starting to wonder.
- Well, I know.

Maybe you should say something.

I don't know what
I'm going to say.

Mr Stevenson, it's for you.

(KNOCKS ON DOOR)

What the hell is going on, Dilworth?

Where's Li?

Li, you can't stay here.
It's out of the question.

Ben, um... I'm married.

- You're what?
- I'm married.

I not go back to China.

No, you can't be married.
Don't be ridlculous.

I mean, who did you marry?

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth? Elizabeth who?

- Oh, you connving little bitch.
- Stop!

Ben, I love her.

You are going back, Li.

If you love China, you go back.

I... I stay.

You are not married!
He's not married!

For God's sake, Ben,
calm down!

Li...

Li, Consul Zhang will think

it's all my doing,
just to keep you here.

Please, don't do this to me.

I-I not go back.

You have to. You have to.

Dont you understand,
it's gonna ruin everythng -

everything I've worked for.

I can't believe
you'd be so selfish.

Li, no-one is
making you do this.

Mr Foster, I want
no trouble for Ben.

I must tell Consul Zhang
I make decision, not Ben.

That's all very well
but the consulate

is Chinese territory
for all intents and purposes.

I explained that to him
already, Charles.

MAN: Please have a seat.

- Well, well.
- Mmm!

Right.

I don't know how you
coud be so foolish!

- Hi there, I'm Li's attorney.
- A lawyer?

And you should know better!

I had no idea Li was
gonna bring a lawyer.

Lets try to keep things
positive, shall we?

LORI: I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for coming.
So many of you.

Consul, how are you? I'm...

I know who you are, Mr Foster.
Pleased to meet you.

My staff tell me you are

a member of the US China
Friendship Association.

Yes, I am.

I was in China 18 months ago,
as a matter of fact.

Vice Consul Lan is happy
to discuss legal matters

if you would be so kind
as to go with him.

Mr Stevenson, perhaps
you could accompany them.

- Yes, Id be happy to.
- I'll be right back, Li.

Now, if you'd please allow me to speak
wth Cunxin alone.

No, I'm gonna stay with Li.

CYNTHIA: (LAUGHS)
Well, don't you have balls!

Well, it seems like
I need them.

DILWORTH: I'm staying too.

CYNTHIA: We have been
asked to leave.

Dilworth,
speak to Consul Zhang.

It's OK.

(SPEAKS CHINESE)

What did he say?

It's OK. We'll wait.

OK.

I'm interested to know
how and when, exactly, was it

that Li Cunxin arrived
at this decision?

With all due respect, sir, that is
not what we're here to discuss.

I'm only too happy to discuss it.

I think we should.

Woud you care for
some refreshments?

No, thanks. If you'll excuse me,
I'll get back to my client.

Please sit down, Mr Foster!

Uh...

- (SPEAKS CHINESE)
- No!

What's going on?

- Help! Someone help!
- DILWORTH: What's going on?

Now, I'm not gonna
put up with... Goddamn!

ELIZABETH: Li! Li!

Help! Li! Li!

Li! Li!

Open this door, goddamn it!

- Come back here!
- ELZABETH: LI! Li!

(SPEAKS CHINESE)

No! Help! Li!

Li!

- What do we do?
- For God's sake!

What's happened? Where's Li?

- ELZABETH They took him!
- DILWORTH: Upstairs!

LORI: There was
at least five of them.

What have you done with Li?

Please, I must ask
all of you to leave now.

Excuse me, Consul,

but I believe someone just
dragged my client out of here.

Mr Foster, you told us you're
a supporterof US-Slno reations,

and what is best
for US-Sino relations

is for Li Cunxin
to return to China.

Please let me
try and convince him.

CHARLES: Well, that's all
very well but for one thing, sir.

We may be on the territory

of the People's Republic
of China, sir,

but in this country,
what you're doing -

wherever you're doing it -

is called kidnapping,
and it's against the law.

Well, he's just walking...
You just drove him away.

- I think we shoud just leave.
- No!

How can you even say that
after what we just saw?

Li's a Chinese national.

I thnk we should just go
and let the Chinese deal with it.

DILWORTH: Weren't you
even listening?

The course of Li's return to China

has most likely already
been mapped out.

A they need is for us to leave so they
can go through with it.

Go through with what, how?
What are you talking about?

Remove Li in the early hours,
heavily sedated I suspect,

and putting him on
the first plane back to China.

(PHONE RINGS)

MAN: Who the hell is
calling me at this hour?

Uh-huh.

It's Charles Foster, Judge.

Sorry to wake you.

Ths better be good, Charles.

Yes, well,
the Consul General of China

is holding a ballet dancer
against his will.

I need to get
a restraining order.

Do I have the right to restrain
the Consul General of China?

Sir, I sincerely hope so.

CONSUL ZHANG: There are
members of the press outside.

- Mm-hm.
- You're a lawyer.

Will you make them go away, please?

Consul, not even
the President of the United States

can make the press go away.

Did you call them, Mr Foster?

No.

I suspect they want to know
what's happened to Li.

My advice to you is,
they don't have to know.

What's happened
can be our secret.

But if you contnue
to hold Li here

you're gonna put our secret

on the front page of
every newspaper in the world

I'd like to use your phone again,
please.

Phone?

(PHONE RINGS)

MAN Mark Gibson,
China desk officer.

Yes, this is Charles Foster.

There's been an incident
at the Chinese consulate

in Houston.

Please alert the ambassador
in Pekng immediately.

Mr Foster, there's no need
to make any more calls.

- Please hang up the phone.
- Wheres Li? I want to see him.

May I have your attention please?

I'm pleased to inform you

that Li Cunxin has decided
to return home to China.

You may all leave now.

If you don't mind,
I'd ke to hear that from Li.

LORI: Yeah,
he's just saying that.

If you do not leave voluntarily
you will all be removed.

DILWORTH: Oh, yeah?
Just try.

We are not leaving
until we see Li.

Mr Stevenson, but you assured me
you are not at fault.

I'm not. And I'm not saying
I don't want Li to go back.

I'm just saying...
well, let me see him.

WOMAN: Just gonna
have to wait. Oh!

'Houston Chronicle', Mr Foster.

Is Li Cunxin being held
inside the consuate?

I'm not making any statements
at this time.

- Are you his attorney?
- Thank you.

(SIGHS)

You know, when I was little,

my aunt had a cat
named Chairman Miaow.

I could never figure out why.

Miaow.

- Chairman Miaow.
- Oh, for God's sake, Dilworth!

Here, kitty-kitty!

A Chinese puzzle
is taking place in Houston,

involving an exchange student
from Peking, an American girl,

the government of
the People's Republic of China

and the Department of State.

(REPORTERS
ALL TALK AT ONCE)

NEWSREADER: His attorney
is believed to have

contacted the Vice President

to put pressure
on the Chinese Government in Peking

in order to effect his release.

I hope you don't get me
into trouble, Charles,

or you're gonna be sorry now.

I hope so too, Judge.

I just need you to sign
this restraining order.

Lets say we worry
about that later, hmm?

You better take a look at this.

(REPORTERS CLAMOUR)

Excuse me, please. Thank you.

MAN: Yes?

I have an order I'm serving

under authority
of the US Marshal.

We open at nine o'clock.

Would you please tell
Consul Zhang

that Charles Foster is here?

Wait.

- Mr Foster?
- Not now!

Sir, you should know
the Vice Presdent

has had discussions with
Premier Deng Xiaoping.

We expect instructions will soon be
issued from Peking,

via the Chinese Embassy
in Washington.

(CLOCK TICKS)

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

(MAN CALLS OUT)

Li?

Come to bed, please.

You can't keep doing this
night after night.

They're watching.

Theres no-one, Li.
No-one's watching.

Come on, come back to bed.

Hello, Li.

Hello, Ben.

Um, we go to Florida.

Liz's mother she live there,
in West Palm Beach.

Hmm. What are you going to do
when you get there?

Get job.

What, in a supermarket?

No, I go for audition. Liz too.

Oh, no Li. It... Oh!

It's not that easy, you know.

I mean, it takes time
to get established.

And I know this isn't
your home,

but right now,
it's the next best thing.

You don't know a soul in America
outside of Houston.

Of course,
youre a brilliant dancer

and you're very popular here,
so I'd be lying

if I said I was doing it
entrely for you.

Elizabeth?

(STAMMERS)

She's just...

Shes not good enough
to dance with the company, Li.

But you know, the company
is having open audtions.

We're required to do that once a year.
They're coming up.

- Alright?
- Alright, I'll think about it.

Alright.

What did he want?

He, um, offer me
a contract, as soloist.

- Soloist?
- Yeah.

Wow! Did he say
anything about me?

Yes.

He said you can
go for audition.

- Audition?
- Yes.

Liz, you very good dancer.

The open auditions.

Yes. Maybe we dance
in the company together.

Be good, no?

Mm hm. Yeah.

- If you still want go to Florida...
- No.

No, this is a great
opportunity for you.

Are you sure, Liz?

Yeah, I'm sure. Yeah.

Congratulations.

('DANSE DES CYGNES'
FROM 'SWAN LAKE' PLAYS)

Keep it crisp.

Lori, try not to pull focus.

You're a unit.

Alright, Lori?
Lori, you're standing out.

Back to the top.

Come on, once again.

LI: Lori?

LORI: He just put me back
in the corps.

LI: What for? Why?

I thnk he's trying to get me
to walk away from my contract.

No! You prima ballerina.

Not anymore.

LORI: Mary McKendry,
Ben's favourite.

He got her back from
the Australian Ballet.

You must have met her
in China.

She's gonna be doing
Swan Lake with you.

Lori, Ben do this to you
because you help me.

No. Li, that's not true.

Yes, it is.

I cause many problems.

For you, for Ben, for Liz.

For my family.

Have you tried
contacting them?

I write letter. Nothing

What about calling?

No.

Making too much trouble,
maybe danger for my family.

Better not.

Better they forget
their sixth son.

(COCKS GUN)

(GASPS)

(BANG!)

(CHIME RATTLES)

You're OK. You're OK.

Shh, shh, shh.

It was just a dream.

Just a dream. Shh.

(DRAMATIC ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS)

Hi.

I come home, right?

Big mess.

What's... Rice in sink.

That's no good.

So that's why you're angry.

Want me to cook and clean
for you? I'm not your mother.

Here, got you some noodles.
No, you not my mother.

My mother, she work
very hard, all day, all her life.

What you do?

What do you think I do?

Everything is fine for you.
You have your career.

It's not fine, Liz.

You not understand!

No, you don't understand!

I want to dance, Li.

I have my dreams, too.

At least you can go to sleep
at night thinking about yours.

In night, I think of
my family in China.

I worry, Liz. There's no sleep.

Just nightmares
and terrible feeling all the time.

Well, what about my feelings, huh?
What about me?

You don't understand.

No, stop telling me
I don't understand.

I want to dance, Li.

I've tried to be what you want
me to be, and I can't do it.

I can't do this anymore.

I'm going to San Francisco
to audition.

I need to get into a company.
You understand, don't you, Li?

Yes, I understand.

When we got married,

was it because you loved me

or was it because
you wanted to stay?

Bec... because...

because I love you.

I love you too.

WOMAN: It's been
five long years since Li Cunxin

made his dramatic leap
to freedom in Houston, Texas

from communist China.

He's here in Washington

and he'll be dancing at
the Kennedy Center tonight

and we're thrilled to have him
with us on the show today.

Wecome to Washington, Li.

Thank you.
It's great to be here.

Li, you've toured wth
the Houston Ballet Company

and danced all over the world,

but your freedom
came at a price.

Yes, it did.

I haven't been allowed
to go back to China since.

But your entire family is there.

Yes.

Have you heard from them?

Do you even know
how they are?

No, I haven't heard from them.

How do you survive,
not knowing?

I carry a picture of them
wherever I go.

And when I dance,
I dance for them.

(SLOW, MELANCHOLY MUSIC PLAYS)

I saw you dance together
in New York.

I've never seen
such exquisite partnering.

Thank you very much.

You made it look so natural.

That's because he is.

Well, it does help to have
the right partner.

Li, there's someone here
who wants to see you.

Hello, Cunxin.

I'm working at the embassy
in Washington now.

You have made us
very proud tonight.

Thank you. Thank you.

Excuse me.

Your mother and father
are well.

I took the liberty of checking.

You don't know
how much that means to me.

If I have a dream, it's to be able
to go back one day.

I know.

Is there any chance?

I'm afraid not enough time
has passed, Cunxin.

But I will see what I can do.

Thank you.
I really appreciate that.

Thank you.

(ORCHESTRA
TUNES INSTRUMENTS)

Lades and gentlemen,

I'm sorry, there's going to be
a slight delay.

We have some VIPs coming in
from out of town,

and when they arrive,
which won't be long now,

I'm sure they'll be forgiven.

So thank you very much

for your patience
and understanding.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Uh, Li, we're just holding
the curtain for 15 minutes.

Why?

There's some VIPs arriving.

OK.

Thanks.

Hey.

- Good luck.
- Thank you.

MAN: (OVER P.A.) Ladies and
gentlemen, five minute call.

Just along here,
if you'll follow me.

WOMAN: I think that's his family.

WOMAN 2: Oh, isn't that wonderful?

Ni hao.

I'm Ben Stevenson.

I'm so glad you're here.

Ni hao.

Please, come to your seats.

What's that for?

Don't know.

Here you are.

(SPEAKS CHINESE)

Oh, xie xie!

(ORCHESTRA PLAYS
'THE RITE OF SPRING'

BY IGOR STRAVINSKY)

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Bravo! Bravo!

(WILD CHEERING
AND APPLAUSE)

- Fantastic!
- He was superb.

(SPEAKS CHINESE)

(PARENTS BOTH
SPEAK CHINESE)

(MAN SHOUTS IN CHINESE)

(CHILDREN SHOUT)

You've met my parents.

This is my oldest brother.

This is my fifth brother.

Cunxin!

Ni hao.