Beijing Taxi

Miao Wang

Director, Producer

Born in Beijing, China just after the Cultural Revolution, Miao Wang immigrated to the US in 1990. She has a BA in economics from the University of Chicago and a MFA in design and film from the Parsons School of Design. She worked as an assistant at Maysles Films, the studio of the legendary direct-cinema documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles. As an editor, Miao has edited for programs for National Geographic TV, video projects for architect Steven Holl, a feature-length documentary shot by Albert Maysles, and a video art piece for artist and musician Malcolm McLaren. Her first half-hour documentary Yellow Ox Mountain (2006), which she directed, produced, and edited, has screened at over 20 film festivals and venues worldwide, received a Best Short Film Award, was broadcast on Thirteen/WNET, and is distributed by Filmaker’s Library. Beijing Taxi is Miao’s first feature length documentary. She captures Beijing with the unique point of view of an emigrant Beijinger carrying the perspectives of both a native and an outsider. She has been awarded a grant from the Center for Asian American Media as well as the Sundance Institute's Documentary Fund.