Liu Jiayin facts for kids

Liu Jiayin, born on August 20, 1981, is a talented filmmaker and teacher from Beijing, China. She makes special kinds of movies called "independent films." These films mix real-life stories (documentary) with made-up stories (narrative). Her most famous movies are Oxhide (2005) and Oxhide II (2009). Both of these films won awards around the world. Today, she teaches about movies at the Beijing Film Academy.

Her Journey in Film

Becoming a Filmmaker

Liu Jiayin wanted to make movies ever since she was in high school. For her final project at the Beijing Film Academy, she made her first full-length movie, Oxhide.

Oxhide (2005)

In Oxhide, Liu filmed her own family in their small apartment in Beijing. She used a digital camera and filmed long scenes without stopping. Her real mother and father played themselves in the movie. Her father was a skilled leather craftsman, and his work gave the film its name. Liu, who was 23 at the time, also played herself.

Oxhide was shown at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival. There, it won two important awards: the FIPRESCI Prize and the Caligari Film Prize. The movie also won the Golden DV Award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. At the Vancouver International Film Festival, Liu received the top Dragons and Tigers Award for films from East Asia.

Oxhide II (2009)

In 2009, Liu finished her second film, Oxhide II. This movie also focused on her family. It was even simpler than the first Oxhide. The entire movie, which is over two hours long, uses only nine different camera shots!

In Oxhide II, you watch Liu and her family prepare, make, cook, and eat jiaozi (Chinese dumplings). Everything happens in real time. This movie was very different from regular movies and even other independent films from China. Oxhide II was first shown at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. A famous critic named Shelly Kraicer even called it one of the best Chinese movies of the 2000s.

Neither Oxhide nor Oxhide II were shown in regular movie theaters. However, you can watch her films online in North America through Dgenerate Films. Her movies have also been shown at many universities in China and other countries.

Movies She Directed