The Swan

Dancing Through The Shadow is a riveting biographical film narrating the true story of Tia, a young ballerina who grew up in Maoist China. Through many twists and turns, we follow her journey of tremendous courage as she descends from a life of privilege to one of destitution and fear. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she gains acceptance at China’s first professional ballet school and goes on to become one of the country’s leading experts in traditional Chinese dance. Despite this success, her life is rarely one of peace. Bound to obey tradition and destined for an arranged marriage, her dreams are shattered when she falls in love with a man her family refuses to accept. More turmoil ensues when Mao’s Red Guards attack the school where she lives and works. Shortly after, she is sent to a forced labor camp. Struggling to survive in a quagmire of chaos and fear, she stands strong, refusing to abandon her hope for freedom and love. (Sedona International Film Festival)