Oxhide II, directed by Liu Jiayin, is a 2009 Chinese film that stands as a beautiful exemplification of cinéma vérité. The film stars Liu herself, her mother Huifen Jia and her father Zaiping Liu, playing themselves in a unique narrative that takes an unflinching look at the realities of the Chinese middle class. The film is an extension of its precursor, Oxhide (2005), yet carries its own unique flair and narrative prowess, thus making it possible to appreciate the film independently.

Oxhide II is a meticulously crafted film that emphasizes visual aesthetics and sound design to encapsulate the audience's experience. The entirety of its action is restricted to the small Beijing apartment of Liu's actual family. Shot entirely in black and white, the film embraces a minimalist approach which adds a distinct depth to its subject matter.

Oxhide II, in a dramatic divergence from conventional cinema, implements lengthy takes and a fixed camera perspective. This choice allows the viewer to absorb the context at their own pace while channeling focus on the three principal characters and their interactions. Such an approach contributes to its atmosphere, one that lays heavy emphasis on realism and the mundanity of everyday life.

The events that unfold in this film revolve around the family's preparation and execution of making dumplings from scratch. While the plot may initially seem negligible, it has a beautiful way of evoking profound emotions. The film relentlessly explores the relationship between the three family members, drawing the viewer in their simple yet emotionally potent life. It is an exploration of familial bonding through the seemingly mundane, an ode to the ordinary, a dive into the heart of a family.

The characters, being the director's actual family, are played with authentic finesse. They deliver performances that embody the rawness of ordinary life, the struggles of a humble leather goods business and the emotions that underlie everyday interactions. Liu, complemented by her real-life parents, delivers an excellent nuanced performance as a young woman balancing herself between the roles of a daughter and an aspiring filmmaker. Liu's father, a man trying his best to run his flailing handmade leather goods shop, is portrayed adorably, with mother Huifen Jia offering a beautiful balance.

Apart from the stellar performances by the cast, Oxhide II is appreciated for its experimental form. Liu's direction encourages the viewers to engage with the film's form as much as its content, ushering in a new wave of participatory cinema. The film unfolds in 9 static, long-take shots that admirably capture the family's dynamics in unusually close quarters. These unprecedented aesthetic choices forge an intimate bond between the viewers and the characters on screen, deepening the cinematic experience.

Oxhide II requires patience and attention. However, its intrinsic beauty lies in its dexterous handling of seemingly insignificant activities and their transformation into defining moments. Liu masterfully captures the art of turning the simplistic into the dramatic, all while maintaining realism.

In its core, Oxhide II is an exploration of the struggles of a middle-class family in contemporary China. The film beautifully layers the nuances of their everyday struggles with the consistent threat of unhealthy competition and the crushing pressures of a capitalist market. Paradoxically, it's a film on survival, perseverance, and kinship put forth in the guise of a family preparing dumplings together.

Oxhide II may not offer traditional entertainment, but it is a visually captivating, emotionally stirring, in-depth narrative of contemporary Chinese family life seen through the eyes of Liu Jiayin, who expertly uses every aspect of film art. It immortalizes an ordinary day in the life of an ordinary family, infusing the mundane with profound meaning and depth. The movie transcends basic cinema norms and indulges in experimentation that leaves viewers not only entertained but also offers a unique perspective on life, thus establishing itself as a landmark film in contemporary Chinese cinema. Watching Oxhide II might feel like staring at a moving portrait, but despite its slow pace and minimal action, it's difficult to resist its heartfelt charm and narrative power.