Oxhide

About This Movie

Oxhide is this fascinating blend of documentary and drama that feels almost like a window into a moment in time. Liu Jiayin’s choice to cast her actual parents alongside herself offers a raw intimacy, making the struggles of this Beijing family really resonate. The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing you to soak in the quiet desperation of their life, yet there’s a poignant beauty in the mundane. The practical effects of making those oxhide bags become a metaphor for their resilience. You can’t help but appreciate the authenticity in their performances; it feels so genuine, almost like eavesdropping on real life. It’s not your typical narrative, but that’s what makes it stand out in the sea of films about family and hardship.

Intimate portrayal of family dynamicsUnique documentary-drama hybridFocus on craftsmanship and everyday life