Better Life

Directed By Jessica Liu

USA | Narrative | 11 min

Gao, a middle-aged Chinese man, lounges poolside, proud of his success…until a gardener blasts dust in his face. He confronts her, only to realize she’s his daughter. Screaming, he wakes—it’s not a dream but his grim reality: living in a cramped incense shop stockroom. His daughter, Winnie, cares for him as they struggle to stay afloat. She’s tied emotionally to her aloof ex, Leslie. A customer, Fanny, flaunts her son’s success and pitches Gao a procedure called “Better Life.” Desperate, Gao robs Fanny and pushes Winnie to undergo the procedure. Transformed and wealthy, Winnie later rejects him—until he’s arrested for the robbery. She watches, unmoved.

Tickets

Livestream

    Featured Events

    This film will be screened as a part of these events

    Film Details

    1. English, Chinese (Mandarin)

    2. English

    3. 2025

    4. 11 minutes

    5. Comedy, Sci-Fi

    6. Narrative

    7. USA

      8. Jessica Liu


      Jessica Liu is a filmmaker raised between Shanghai and the Bay Area, known for blending wit, dark comedy, and emotional depth. Her work explores desire and repression, and her films have screened at Cinequest, SF Indie Fest, and Dances with Films, and streaming on Amazon Prime and OTV. She’s a 2025 Stowe Story Labs Fellow and a 2024 AWD Rising Director. Her feature, MING & THE BANANA, advanced in Sundance's Development Track. She’s now developing BETTER LIFE with Randall Park.

      9. Annie Huang

      10. Jessica Liu

      11. Richard Ouyang

        Terry Hu

        Randall Park

        Shirley Chen

        Peggy Lu

      12. Cinematographer: Jon Keng

        Mary Ma

        Supporting: Peter Adrian Sudarso

        Carlin James

        Theo Iyer

        Aoi Takeya

    Connect with the Film

    Tickets

    Livestream