Dance in Film · 2015
Ballet in the Flames of War (2015)
Dong Yachun’s Sino-Russian wartime romance makes classical ballet the emotional bond between E’er and Soviet scout Andrei, with National Ballet of China principal Cao Shuci performing every ballet passage herself—a rare Chinese-Russian historical ballet feature for the collection.
Ballet in the Flames of War is a 2015 dance feature film centred on ballroom and social dance. For dancers, it's a chance to see the style performed on screen — the phrasing, partnering, and musicality that the same dances carry onto a real floor.
Jump to the 2 indexed dance sequences ↓
Where to watch: China Movie Channel’s 1905 site currently links a VIP full-film page in mainland China; Plex lists no current U.S. viewing location. Checked 2026-08-09; regional access and availability may change.
The dance sequences in Ballet in the Flames of War
2 sequences — what is danced, by whom, and where to find it.
E’er’s “Swan Lake” pointe solo and battlefield intercut
Classical BalletDanced by Cao Shuci
A young Chinese woman turning en pointe to “Swan Lake” before the image cuts abruptly to the battlefield.
The edit makes classical ballet a visual counterforce to warfare: E’er’s controlled pointe turns are interrupted by Chinese villagers and Soviet troops fighting Japanese invaders.
Open the film at this point · Stream or rental only — the timestamp is for when you have it playing. No edition-specific timestamp was inferred. China Movie Channel’s 1905 record lists a 100-minute edition and its opened VIP page offered paid full-film access when checked August 13, 2026; timed playback was not available without membership.
Lyuba teaches E’er ballet
Ballet (unspecified)Danced by Cao Shuci; Natalya Surkova
Lyuba passing ballet to E’er, with the watch linking the lesson, Andrei, and the later mother–son recognition.
The lesson makes ballet part of the characters’ relationship rather than decorative spectacle, connecting E’er’s growth to the Russian family whose history drives the romance.
Open the film at this point · Stream or rental only — the timestamp is for when you have it playing. No edition-specific timestamp was inferred. China Movie Channel’s 1905 record lists a 100-minute edition and its opened VIP page offered paid full-film access when checked August 13, 2026; timed playback was not available without membership.
Poster artwork from TMDB.
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