Experiencing Interruptions?

Dancing Through The Shadow

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 labour camp. Struggling to survive in a quagmire of chaos and fear, she stands strong, refusing to abandon her hope for freedom and love.

  • Leif Bristow
    Director
    Risings Suns, Love on Safari, The Apostle Peter: Redemption, The Red Dress, Sophie & Sheba, Saul: The Journey to Damascus, Kart Racer, Blizzard
  • Agnes Bristow
    Writer
    Wildlife Quest, Rising Suns, The Apostle Peter: Redemption
  • Leif Bristow
    Producer
    Risings Suns, Love on Safari, The Apostle Peter: Redemption, The Red Dress, Sophie & Sheba, Saul: The Journey to Damascus, Kart Racer, Blizzard
  • Kristina Tonteri-Young
    Key Cast
    "Tia"
    Warrior Nun, Outside The Wire, A Christmas Gift from Bob
  • Jonathan Kim
    Key Cast
    "Jason"
    21 Thunder, Star Trek: Discovery, The Christmas Chronicles
  • Uni Park
    Key Cast
    "TIa's Mother"
    The Art of War, Kim's Convience, Provocateur, Orphan Black
  • Russell Yuen
    Key Cast
    "Baba"
    Rising Suns, Make It Pop, The Day After Tomorrow, Arrival
  • Mung Ling-Hsui
    Key Cast
    "Nai Nai"
    The Sentinel, The Pacifier, Down to Earth, The Line
  • Brittany Bristow
    Key Cast
    "Louise Turner"
    Shadowtown, Holiday Date, Rising Suns, Blizzard, Kiss and Cry
  • Marianna Phung
    Key Cast
    "Tia's Sister"
    The Bold Type, The Umbrella Academy, Run
  • John Ng
    Key Cast
    "Soldier Wu"
    Kim's Convenience, Rising Suns, Claws of the Red Dragon
  • Henry Kwok
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Wong"
    Rising Suns, 5000 Years of Heroes, Warrior, Blood and Water
  • Crystal Yu
    Key Cast
    "Chun"
    Casualty, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 53 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 22, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Leif Bristow

Leif is currently directing the feature film Dancing Through the Shadow for release in late 2023. Many of the Films Leif has directed are distributed by MGM, and Fox worldwide including Love on Safari (2018), The Apostle Peter: Redemption (2016), The Red Dress (2015). He has been a producer on 18 films for HBO which garnered 6 Primetime Emmy's as well as some of the highest rated films for the Hallmark Channel including Love, Romance & Chocolate (2019), Veteran's Christmas (2018), Christmas Next Door (2017). Leif specializes in filming in global locations to enrich the storytelling and the viewer experience. He has filmed in Belgium, South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Kenya, Malta and his recent film will take him to Taiwan. His 2003 film, Blizzard, is now classified by MGM as a Christmas Classic. It plays around the world annually and was featured for 3 minutes in the opening of the 75th Academy Awards Ceremony.

Add Director Biography