Hawaii International Film Festival Announces Opening Film For Spring Showcase Film Festival Starts Friday, April 16
The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is pleased to host the Hawaii premiere of MAO'S LAST DANCER as its Opening Night Film for the Spring Showcase


HONOLULU, HI, March 17, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Hawaii International Film Festival
(HIFF) is pleased to host the Hawaii premiere of MAO'S LAST DANCER as its
Opening Night Film for the Spring Showcase. From acclaimed Australian
director Bruce Beresford who won an Academy Award for Best Picture for
DRIVING MISS DAISY, MAO'S LAST DANCER is the true story of Li Cunxin, a
world-class dancer who defected from China to the United States in 1981.

The film adaptation of Cunxin's autobiography features Hawaii's very own
Amanda Schull as the lead character's love interest and new­comer Chi Cao in
the leading role of a poverty-stricken Chinese boy who becomes a
world-famous ballet star. Schull had her big film break back in 2000 when
she was cast in the film CENTER STAGE. MAO'S LAST DANCER will screen Friday,
April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters.

HIFF's Spring Showcase is being held from April 16 ­ 22 at the Regal Dole
Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters. The final movie lineup and program guide will
soon be unveiled. Tickets go on sale for HIFF Ohana members on Monday, April
5th and to the general public on Wednesday, April 7th.

General tickets for the public are available for $12, $10 for seniors,
students and military. HIFF Ohana members can purchase tickets for $8. The
tickets can be purchased at the HIFF box office located at 650 Iwilei Rd,
Suite 100, across from the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Cinemas, online at
www.hiff.org or by phone at (808) 792-1577.

For press-related inquires, please contact Chimaine Pouteau at
chimaine@hawaiipacificentertainment.com. Images of the films can be
downloaded from this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hiff2009images/2010SpringImagesForPress?authkey=
Gv1sRgCNXK5IjV8-64RA# _http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=1020216263&msgid=1612673&act=FN6R
&c=394988&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fhiff2009images%2F2
010SpringImagesForPress%3Fauthkey%3DGv1sRgCNXK5IjV8-64RA_

FILM SYNOPSIS
MAO'S LAST DANCER
Hawaii Premiere

MAO'S LAST DANCER tells the inspirational true story of a small boy's
extraordinary journey from poverty to international stardom. From a grueling
apprenticeship as a classical dancer in communist China, to the glory of
creative freedom in America. But, there is a painful price to be paid for
his quest for self expression. MAO'S LAST DANCER captures the intoxicating
effects of first love and celebrity, the pain of exile, and ultimately the
triumph of individual endeavor over ideology.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Cast: Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull
Australia 2009 | English, Mandarin w/ English subtitles | 117 min.

Festival Information Hawaii International Film Festival, established in
1981, is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange
among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium
of film. HIFF is the premier international film event in the Pacific and has
won the praise of governments, filmmakers, scholars, educators, programmers
and film industry leaders throughout the world. It is also the primary
source for the discovery and exhibition of Asian and Pacific feature films,
documentaries and videos in the nation. The festival has premiered such
movies as ONCE WERE WARRIORS, THE PIANO, SHINE, SHALL WE DANCE, Y TU MAMA
TAMBIEN and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.

The 2010 Hawaii International Film Spring Festival will be held April
16-22, 2010 at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters and the 30th
Annual Hawaii International Film Fall Festival will be held in October 2010.
For more information please visit our website at www.hiff.org. ###

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