International
Mao’s Last Dancer to release on 6 August
MUMBAI: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired Bruce Beresford dance epic Mao‘s Last Dancer that will have a 6 August release.
The film, a true-life story of Chinese dancer Li Cunxin and his defection to the US and subsequent life in Australia, is directed by Beresford and produced by Jane Scott, from a screenplay by Jan Sardi. The film stars Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen, Chi Cao and Amanda Schull.
Mao‘s Last Dancer opened in Australia late last year and grossed AUS$15.4 million ($14 million) to become the 12th top grossing Australian film of all time.
Samuel Goldwyn Films chairman and CEO of Samuel Goldwyn Films Sam Goldwyn Jr. said, Mao‘s Last Dancer is a hauntingly beautiful film with universal appeal that I‘ve been thinking about since Toronto.”
Mao‘s Last Dancer was runner up to Precious for the Audience Award at the 2009 Toronto Film Festival and winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 Sao Paulo Film Festival in Brazil.
Mao‘s US domestic pick up follows Sony‘s announcement last week that it had acquired Australian neo western Red Hill for release there this year.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
