The Chris Voss Show The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Dancing Through the Shadow by Agnes Bristow
Sep 23, 2025
Leif Bristow, an award-winning director and producer renowned for his work with Hallmark, joins to dive into the fascinating story of Tia Zhang from "Dancing Through the Shadow." He shares Tia's inspiring journey as a ballerina navigating love and loss during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Leif discusses the challenges of adapting Agnes Bristow’s compelling narrative into a film, touching on themes of resilience and the human spirit in the face of adversity. Tune in for insights into filmmaking and Tia's remarkable fight for freedom.
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Tia's Rise In Ballet School
- Leif Bristow recounts Tia Zhang's rise from a military-family childhood to being chosen for China's first European-style ballet school.
- He describes cultural clashes at auditions and her status as the academy's top dancer during early Mao-era changes.
Youth Mobilization As Political Tool
- The Cultural Revolution weaponized youth to purge intellectuals and seize control of institutions.
- Leif links Mao's campaigns to mass confusion, book burnings, and widespread starvation that reshaped Chinese society.
Forbidden Romance Over A Statue
- Leif tells how Tia modeled for a national statue and fell in love with a hurdler from the athletic team.
- Their romance faced family opposition and cultural expectations before her mother relented on the condition he attend university.
