Liu Jiayin
Encyclopedia
Liu Jiayin is a Chinese
independent filmmaker and educator, born in Beijing
in 1981. She has made two experimental features combining documentary
and narrative elements, Oxhide
(2005) and Oxhide II (2009), both of which received international awards.
Liu aspired to become a filmmaker as early as high school. As her graduation project at the Beijing Film Academy
(BFA), she completed Oxhide, her full-length feature debut. Liu used digital video
and a series of long take
s to stage scenes from the life of her family in their cramped Beijing apartment. Her mother and her father—a struggling skilled leather craftsman whose work material gives the film its title—perform their own parts, alongside the 23-year-old director as herself. Oxhide was screened in 2005 at the Berlin International Film Festival
, where it took two prizes, including the FIPRESCI
Award in the Forum of New Cinema. It also screened at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
, where Liu received the Golden DV Award for best digital work, and at the Vancouver International Film Festival
, where she received the top Dragons and Tigers Award
for East Asian cinema.
In 2009 Liu finished her second film, Oxhide II. With a similar focus on her family, this "sequel" was seen as more simple and radical in construction, employing only nine separate shots in a running time of over two hours. All the film's narrative occurs in the real-time process of Liu and her family preparing to make, making, cooking and eating jiaozi
(Chinese dumplings). A marked contrast not only to commercial film aesthetics but also with other independent films from China, Oxhide II premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
as part of its Directors Fortnight program. At the end of the year, Oxhide II was named one of the three masterpieces of Chinese cinema in the 2000s decade by critic Shelly Kraicer.
Neither of Liu's films received commercial theatrical distribution, but her works are distributed in North America digitally by Dgenerate Films
. Her works have also been screened at universities in China and abroad. Today she teaches in the literature department at BFA.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
independent filmmaker and educator, born in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
in 1981. She has made two experimental features combining documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
and narrative elements, Oxhide
Oxhide
Oxhide , directed by Liu Jiayin, is a 2005 narrative independent Chinese film that portrays the director's family and their apartment in Beijing...
(2005) and Oxhide II (2009), both of which received international awards.
Liu aspired to become a filmmaker as early as high school. As her graduation project at the Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy is a coeducational state-run higher education institution in Beijing, China. The film school is the largest institution specialised in the tertiary education for film and television production in Asia...
(BFA), she completed Oxhide, her full-length feature debut. Liu used digital video
Digital video
Digital video is a type of digital recording system that works by using a digital rather than an analog video signal.The terms camera, video camera, and camcorder are used interchangeably in this article.- History :...
and a series of long take
Long take
A long take is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes. It can be used for dramatic and narrative effect if done properly, and in moving shots is often accomplished...
s to stage scenes from the life of her family in their cramped Beijing apartment. Her mother and her father—a struggling skilled leather craftsman whose work material gives the film its title—perform their own parts, alongside the 23-year-old director as herself. Oxhide was screened in 2005 at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
, where it took two prizes, including the FIPRESCI
FIPRESCI
The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Award in the Forum of New Cinema. It also screened at the Hong Kong International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The Hong Kong International Film Festival is a platform for filmmakers, film professionals and filmgoers from all over the world to launch and experience new film work. There are seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and parties celebrating the festival community...
, where Liu received the Golden DV Award for best digital work, and at the Vancouver International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival
The Vancouver International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for two weeks in late September and early October...
, where she received the top Dragons and Tigers Award
Dragons and Tigers Award
VIFF Dragons and Tigers Award for Young Cinema is an award from the Vancouver International Film Festival for a film director from Asia-Pacific region. It awards a creative and innovative film, made early in the director's career, which has not yet won significant international recognition...
for East Asian cinema.
In 2009 Liu finished her second film, Oxhide II. With a similar focus on her family, this "sequel" was seen as more simple and radical in construction, employing only nine separate shots in a running time of over two hours. All the film's narrative occurs in the real-time process of Liu and her family preparing to make, making, cooking and eating jiaozi
Jiaozi
Jiǎozi 餃子 or 饺子 , bánh bột luộc , gyōza , Mo:Mo: or Momocha म:म: or ममचा , or pot sticker is a Chinese dumpling widely spread to Japan, Eastern and Western Asia.Jiaozi typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into...
(Chinese dumplings). A marked contrast not only to commercial film aesthetics but also with other independent films from China, Oxhide II premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
as part of its Directors Fortnight program. At the end of the year, Oxhide II was named one of the three masterpieces of Chinese cinema in the 2000s decade by critic Shelly Kraicer.
Neither of Liu's films received commercial theatrical distribution, but her works are distributed in North America digitally by Dgenerate Films
DGenerate Films
dGenerate Films is a non-theatrical distributor of award-winning independent films from China. Their aim is to bring more images of contemporary life in mainland China to U.S. audiences. The company was launched in 2008 by American independent film veterans, including producer Karin Chien...
. Her works have also been screened at universities in China and abroad. Today she teaches in the literature department at BFA.