The award-winning documentary Spring After Spring is set for a special Lunar New Year release, shining a spotlight on three Chinese Canadian sisters and their profound connection to dance. This Vancouver film delves into the remarkable legacy of Chinatown dance icon Maria Mimie Ho through the eyes of her daughters.
A Legacy of Dance and Community Leadership
For decades, Maria Mimie Ho stood as a towering figure within Vancouver's Chinatown community. Known affectionately as Mimie, she passed away in 2010, leaving behind an extraordinary list of accomplishments that stretched as long as Keefer Street itself. A dedicated dance teacher, school educator, artistic director, and community leader, Mimie tirelessly trained generations of dancers while organizing volunteers for the annual Lunar New Year Chinatown Parade, which she played an instrumental role in establishing.
Founding the Strathcona Chinese Dance Company
In 1973, Mimie founded the Strathcona Chinese Dance Company, creating a recreational dance program specifically designed to promote the art of Chinese dance. This visionary company would eventually tour the world, proudly showcasing Chinese dance and culture on international stages. Beyond her artistic achievements, Mimie was also a sought-after speaker and community organizer who raised three daughters who now carry forward her Lunar New Year Parade legacy.
Three Sisters Continue Their Mother's Work
Directed by Vancouver filmmaker Jon Chiang, Spring After Spring intimately follows Anabel, Val, and Lisa Ho as they unite to continue their mother's vital community work while navigating their own grief and memories. The film captures their journey of honoring Mimie's legacy while missing her guidance at every turn.
The documentary has several upcoming screenings across Vancouver:
- A special event screening and panel discussion with filmmakers and subjects on February 1 at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre
- A theatrical run beginning February 6 at the VIFF Centre
- A television premiere scheduled for February 17 on Knowledge Network
A Personal Family Heirloom on Film
For the Ho sisters, the documentary represents more than just a film—it serves as a precious family heirloom. "Jon had shown us a draft, and the first thing I said was, 'Oh my God, what a great family heirloom. Thank you so much,'" explained Lisa Ho, who expressed gratitude for having someone else curate their family history.
Lisa further elaborated on the documentary's significance: "In no way were we able to put it into any sort of organized form to kind of show the through line of what my mom did, and what Strathcona Chinese Dance Company had accomplished." She described the film as "a chef's kiss"—something she can show her children to help them understand who their grandmother was and what she achieved for their community.
Professional Dance Careers Rooted in Family Tradition
All three of Mimie's daughters pursued professional careers in dance, though their mother never pressured them to follow in her footsteps. Interestingly, despite growing up immersed in dance culture, Mimie maintained practical concerns about her daughters' career choices.
"Mom wasn't a fan of pursuing dreams that didn't have a consistent paycheque," Lisa reveals in the film. This made it particularly meaningful when Mimie eventually celebrated her daughters' successes.
Lisa recalls a pivotal moment: "After I booked my first really big commercial theatre gig, which was Mamma Mia in Toronto, she had said: 'I knew you could do it.' And it just made my mind explode, because I didn't expect her to say that. So, in the back of her mind, she really was kind of rooting for us."
The sisters' dance accomplishments are impressive in their own right:
- Lisa danced on Broadway and other prestigious stages in hit productions including Shrek the Musical and Mamma Mia
- Val (known professionally as Miss Vee) teaches hip hop and street dance at the renowned Juilliard School in New York
- Anabel runs the Vancouver Academy of Dance, continuing her mother's educational legacy in their home city
Critical Acclaim and Emotional Resonance
Spring After Spring arrives following a successful festival run that included winning the Best Canadian Feature Film Award at the 2025 Vancouver Asian Film Festival. Director Jon Chiang notes that while audiences have been fascinated by Mimie's story, many have been particularly moved by the sisters' vulnerability and their conversations about grief.
This emotional resonance pleases Lisa Ho, who hopes that seeing the sisters process their loss might help others dealing with similar grief. The documentary serves not only as a tribute to a community icon but also as a meditation on family, legacy, and cultural preservation.
Through its intimate portrayal of the Ho family, Spring After Spring documents how one woman's dedication to Chinese dance and community building created ripples that continue to influence Vancouver's cultural landscape decades later. The film stands as both a historical record and a personal family narrative, capturing the essence of how cultural traditions are preserved and transformed across generations.
