AUSTRALIAN STORY NEWSLETTER - 27 SEPTEMBER 2012

Hello Everyone

This week Brisbane based producer Kent Gordon brings you the story of Li Cunxin, famous as 'Mao's Last Dancer', who is embarking on a return to ballet in a surprising new role. Melbourne editor Steven Baras-Miller has brought the family to Brisbane and they have been enjoying the lovely weather while he has spent hours with Kent in the edit suite. All this devotion has created a visual feast of an episode as you will see by watching the preview. Check it out www.abc.net.au/austory

Now back to some info on this week's program. A fluke of fate led Li Cunxin to devote his life to dance, leaving his impoverished family behind in rural China at the age of 11 and becoming a student of the gruelling ballet academy established under Madame Mao's orders. It was a path that led to America, to freedom, to celebrity and acclaim as one of the best dancers in the world.

Millions know his story through the best-selling book Mao's Last Dancer and the subsequent movie of the same name. He ultimately started a new life with his dancer wife Mary McKendry in Australia. But Family responsibilities forced him to relinquish his dance career and forge a new direction as a stockbroker. Li Cunxin believed he'd hung up his ballet slippers for good but says he never could shake his passion for dance. When the Queensland Ballet advertised for a new Artistic Director, he 'leaped at it'.

Kent has been filming behind the scenes with Li Cunxin as he prepares the ballet company for the 2013 season launch on Friday, September 28 in Brisbane. Can he deliver? Tune in on Monday night to find out!

'Leap Of Faith' is introduced by one of my favourite actors, David Wenham. Caroline Jones and I were having lunch when I was in Sydney recently and we spotted him in the ABC Cafe. Caroline urged me to go and say hello, but he was talking with someone and eating his lunch so I didn't want to disturb him. It didn't stop us having a quick peek on the way out though!

Well that's it for this week. AFL Grand Final day is the highlight of my year (I know – I should get a life!) so I am starting the weekend early and taking the day off tomorrow to prepare. Hence the early email! I am travelling to Corindi NSW tomorrow and have already told my brother to make sure the barbie is ready to go for Saturday. Just because it's his birthday doesn't mean we can't watch the footy!

Hope you all have a great weekend and the team you're barracking for wins. And don't miss 'Leap Of Faith' at 8pm on ABC1...

Cheers
Kelly Williams
Broadband & Social Media Producer
Australian Story


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