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QUEENS WEEKLY, DECEMBER 1, 2019
“ I N e e d t o S t a n d O u t a n d S p e a k O u t ” : J i a y i L i a n g D e l i v e r s D e e p M e s s a g e s T h r o u g h Photo and Film
Filmmaker and photographer, Jiayi Liang, has left
audiences in awe from her emotionally riveting work.
Her ability to communicate through film, photograph
and music brings forth a whole new era of talent. Her
most recent project, A Brilliant Star – a Documentary
of Gao Yaojie, showcases this talent.
“It’s My Responsibility to Tell This Story”
“As an artist, I need to stand out and speak out. I
want to fully express my ideas and evoke discussions.”
Smoothly portraying deep emotions in her project A
Brilliant Star for over two years, Liang continuingly
delivers impactful messages for this ongoing project.
“I realized that I needed to do something about Gao’s
situation. I wanted
to focus more
on current events
in the world and
learn more about
the photographer
and filmmaker
I wanted to become.”
Gao Yaojie, a
Chinese gynecologist,
academic,
and AIDS activist,
who discovered critical research involving the
transmission of AIDS/HIV, due to her controversial
research, Gao was put on house arrest by the Chinese
government. Gao has made it her life’s mission to educate
society of this disease and has received support
from Hillary Clinton in the process.
An Onoing Documentary and Mission
“It was challenging during the entire production,
but we’ve got lots of precious footages. Gao and Liang
share similar humanitarian beliefs and those beliefs
are what truly give them an emotional bond that is
visible in the scenes Liang captures.
Once the documentary is officially released, Liang
believes the overarching message will immediately
attract public attention. “This documentary is my observation
and reflection on Gao’s life. Society should
treat civilian heroes and those with medical needs
better.”
It’s an ongoing project that Liang wants to keep
working on with Gao for the remainder of her life.
“I’ve cried several times when making the documentary.”
says Liang, “I hope people can slow down the
pace of life and think about what’s the real success.
The most important thing is how you spend your life
to impact the society, and how you care about this
world.”
By: Jennifer Aline Graham
“I Can Feel the Rhythm in My Photo”
Born in Dalian, China and residing currently in
New York, Liang began her artistic endeavors in the
music realm during university. However, moving
image and photography has always been her true passion.
Liang started her
venture into film and
photography after attending
the New York
Film Academy.
“My musical background
helps to build
the whole picture.”
says Liang, who became
a multi-talented
force in the industry
and has had four successful
photography
exhibitions in NYC
and LA between 2017
and 2018. During 2019, her current documentary has
had three public screenings in NYC and NJ. She
shows the unique talent of expressing extraordinary
visual language through her art, her creative vision
on emotional and thought-provoking topics impressed
and inspired many audiences.
Hilary Clinton visited Gao Yaojie at her bedside,
they were holding Gao’s biography, book cover
shoot by Jiayi Liang.
Jiayi Liang
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