Ballet dancer Li Cunxin on InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse

In this award-winning episode of "InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse," world-renowned ballet dancer Li Cunxin, author of "Mao's Last Dancer", sits down with Ernie to discuss his heart-wrenching childhood in a poverty-stricken area of communist China, his evolution from novice dancer to world class performer, and the remarkable journey that brought him to the United States and Houston Ballet. Episodes of InnerVIEWS are available on DVD at houstonpbs.org.

[@gggreggg]

marvelous interview!!! so touching. Mr Manouse is so gentle and provocative at the same time and Li Cunxin is so articulate and charming. the commentary about his family's trip from China to the theater was so moving!!!

[@bts_fan4life21]

I just finished watching “Mao’s Last Dancer.” I watched the trailer and right away wanted to watch it. It was an amazing story of struggles, strength, hope, love and support. Absolutely loved the movie. Then I came here to watch the interview. Thank you for sharing your life story. It is truly an inspiration to those who want to better their own lives and go forward with strength to do so.

[@picturehouse2947]

forget the film ...read the book

[@OutsideisRaining]

Came here after watching Mao's last dancer and I must say that his life story is extraordinary.

[@abafproductions]

Same

[@iwillgofar]

What a great man !! from Mexico Nijao ! we love your movie ! we love you Li Cunxin !

[@toshrunner2946]

Thank you for posting this! Amazing!

[@knoxtang]

Great story, great Li Cunxin. He is originally from Qingdao, Shandong province of China. I read his book, very very inspiring!

[@MrAntoniocanada2002]

The movie is wonderful.

[@EvangelineCiel]

Its painful and thankless at first, but you come to love it so much.

[@hjstrauss08]

What a wonderful man Li Cun Xin is!!

[@UNbowed62]

Awesome🙏🏽❤️

[@FreeKillFrenzy]

YAY

[@BellambiFredRoberts]

I love his story...the truth is always the uglier version of this story

[@OutsideisRaining]

He is so eloquent. This interview is really interesting.

[@jenaylegend]

I understand where this guy is coming from, people think when you criticize the government, they assume your critizing the culture. No. Hes critiquing the government and perhaps society for those who succumb to work for the government. It has nothing to do with being Chinese or the culture. He's proud of being Chinese, his culture but not the government.

[@jenaylegend]

@5566NT That's very common for Asians to do that, westernizing their kids. I mean your children would grow up in the western culture regardless, but despite them being mixed with a white father, they would still look partly Asian. For that, I think it's important for people to learn about their heritage. It's a benefit to learn another culture or language, workplaces need bilingual or cultural people these days.

[@omgsls]

I cried like hell reading the book

[@stephaniezhou4682]

omgsls you should have seen me I cried the crap out me

[@SilverInsanity]

@nandeable I think that was how China was then, not how it is now. I find it to be a testimonial to how much China has advanced over the years, not a lack of pride in his ethnic identity.

[@gggreggg]

Ernie Manouse is really delightful. so calm, so focused, so kind to Li Cunxin. is he still with PBS

[@mayfung3433]

He did not go to Chinese school until 9, and did not learn to speak English until 18. Yet he wrote his book in English, and he speaks so eloquently. What a brilliant man!

[@Astrocx]

l have read the book and seen the movie and l loved every second of it , Li Cuxins story is amazing

[@EvangelineCiel]

Its so important for people now to realize how much of a difference a chance at any education could have made on so many people in China even just 40 years ago. Great movie - the determination and the strength of will made me cry.

[@iraqinetwork]

only 10,674 viewss?? there shoold be at least 100 million

[@Innocenthia]

jusy finished reading the book, lol once again America saves the day lol. but yeah inspiring story

[@_makeupandcoffee_4936]

What an amazing man.

[@57113]

This young man coming `to America, his struggle to stay in America, his incredible hard work in ballet, which it is trust me. Also his horrendous survival in China under Mao's ctuel regime and then to be locked up in the consulate and interrogated. Not hearing and worrying about his family. I commend this ~an and all his struggles and still became a classical dancers in the world. My heart goes out to Li and his family. I hope everyone who watches this interview and listened to Li's story is greatful we live in the democratic west.

[@YanyongW]

he is a great narator sincere and honest.I admire him.

[@aleung1019]

what an incredible story, can't wait to watch the movie on Prime!

[@princesskeikyo25]

I watched "Mao's Last Dancer" and read the book and I am very humbled by it. I am the oldest of 7 children and can't imagine what it is like to grow up without having any of the things that we had. It is amazing to see how Li Cunxin has survived such hardships and grown into an amazing person!!

[@trollsuckssmith6216]

the best biography i have ever read

[@hanaluong2672]

I admire him so much. He speaks English like an Australian native. He is so talented.

[@PhoebePrimost]

yeah

[@DavidF488]

I love his accent =]

[@Lovexvampirexdiaries]

I just finished reading the book and badly want to watch it online but there are no links :(

[@FreeKillFrenzy]

Love this shit

[@vivienlee6763]

my dad's born 1954, canton, though some details were different cuz of different province, but his story's pretty legit. Li cunxin's life, early mao's china life is was very much like that, and thus it was hard to believe that the very thing you believed in all your life was all wrong. it's actually painful to live with that truth.

[@ksh7011]

After I watched this interview, I couldn't hold my desire to watch his autobiographical movie "Mao's last Dancer" today. Immediately, I placed the order to Amazon and glued my eyes and finished to watch the movie just now. I cried at the end when he met his parents on the stage in Houston and when he met his inspirational teacher Mr. Chan. It is worthwhile to watch.

[@SFolkes97]

Nice to know there are real life heroes like this man.

[@florphoto]

I saw the movie which accurately reflected the horrors of the monsters: Mao and his wife, Jiang Qing's era in China. It was beautifully done with exquisite ballet interspersed in its toil and few years of glory, and agony at a short career's end, when Li's soloist partner was replaced by his future 2nd wife. The interview and story moved me to tears and I celebrate Li's glory and his mother, a powerful woman’s retort to the Communists when accused of raising such a ‘traitor son’!

[@Yunginspirit]

What an incredible story and person Li is..Now I have to see the movie. Makes me count and appreciate my blessings more. He was 'Australian Father of the Year' in 2009 and deservedly so.

[@IndigoGrace1]

Where can you possibly be coming from to speak this way? I hear no disrespect for the Chinese people, but for the oppressive form of communist government which denied its people all freedom. Because of his great love and respect for his parents and family and his conviction for freedom, he paid a great price to attain a better life for himself and his family - against all odds.

[@SilverInsanity]

@wikct2 Yes, but perhaps I did not word myself clearly. I meant that it showed China in the past, and as a comparison to China now, shows how much we have advanced. :) Or I am simply wrong.

[@MsGaella]

👍👍💕💕

[@Liamoorz]

maos last dancer is a great book

[@Jdet2873]

cool vid :D

[@MsBeeBeegirl]

What an amazing life. I read his book in 2 days. Li Cunxin is an inspiration. Im thrilled to know he is living here in Australia with his beautiful family...it gives me a sense of connection to him....He also won Australian father of the year last year. A brilliant talent and a humble person. Li is wonderful.

[@YanyongW]

@nandeable you should accept reality of life ,otherwise you would never know youeself your culture.

[@IndigoGrace1]

Yes, absolutely, the government squelched freedom, and this life and story is an example of great courage, honor and determination to overcome all odds. He is an example to us all.

[@AnatDayag]

what an impressive man.

[@Char.Chi.]

@youratwitface Totally agree - I couldn't put the book down! & I think I cried around 5 times - no exaggeration by any means! Very humbling to say the least!

[@emirleeauch]

the most inspiring story i have ever read! if everyone could only read one book in there life, ot should be Mao's last dancer!

[@MusicforMe123]

Can't wait to see the movie..."Mao's Last Dancer". I will never look at another meal the same again, very very inspirational.

[@FreeKillFrenzy]

love the book

[@luv2beemom]

@vintagestrat247 Since he's lived in Australia since 1995, I don't think it'll be an issue.

[@Liamoorz]

kewl

[@BunBun969]

Watching this literally hours after reading his inspirational book.. ♥

[@iraqinetwork]

@Mysweetstrawberryjam I realised that strayt away too

[@Darienbeagle]

I loved the movie, and now I'm spellbound by the book!

[@DavidF488]

I Lol @ How the guy pronounced his name "Swin Sing" xD

[@lilmunmun3azn]

This is definitely on my "Must Read" books list!!~

[@lilmissjayjay]

HIs story is one to be cherished, simply amazing.

[@SarahChang101]

I'm so proud to be Chinese :D

[@freebird164]

Amazing man! Amazing story!

[@sweetpoison94]

he's so sincere(:

[@StonePaul66]

wow!

[@t_withmilk]

wow, I saw the movie and it is so accurate with what he is saying!