Nelson Yu Lik-wai profile photo

Nelson Yu Lik-wai

Camera
59 years oldHong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]

Biography

Yu Lik-wai (simplified Chinese: 余力为; traditional Chinese: 余力爲; pinyin: Yú Lìwéi; Jyutping: Yu4 Lik6 Wai4; born 12 August 1966), sometimes credited as Nelson Yu, is a Hong Kong cinematographer, film director, and occasional film producer. Born in Hong Kong, Yu Lik-wai was educated at Belgium's INSAS (Institut National Superieur des Arts de Spectacle) where he graduated with a degree in cinematography in 1994. Yu has become a mainstay in both the cinemas of China (where he is perhaps best known for his collaborations with director Jia Zhangke) and Hong Kong. Yu has served as director of photography for nearly all of Chinese director Jia Zhangke's films, and along with Jia, the two men founded their own independent film production company, Xstream Pictures.

Personal Details

Born
August 12, 1966
Gender
Male
Place of Birth
Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]
Known For
Camera

Also Known As

Nelson Lik-wai Yu
余力为
余力爲
Nelson Yu
Yu Lik-wai

Movies (39)

Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell

Director of Photography (Camera)

2025

Caught by the Tides
6.8

Caught by the Tides

Co-Producer (Production)

2025

The Best is Yet to Come
6.1

The Best is Yet to Come

Cinematography (Crew)

2023

Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue
7.0

Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue

Director of Photography (Camera)

2021

this body is so impermanent…

this body is so impermanent…

Director of Photography (Camera)

2021

The Bucket
6.3

The Bucket

Director of Photography (Camera)

2019

Ash Is Purest White
6.9

Ash Is Purest White

Creative Consultant (Crew)

2018

Our Time Will Come
6.0

Our Time Will Come

Director of Photography (Camera)

2017

Revive
6.0

Revive

Director of Photography (Camera)

2017

The Hedonists
7.4

The Hedonists

Director of Photography (Camera)

2016

Mountains May Depart
6.9

Mountains May Depart

Director of Photography (Camera)

2015

Smog Journeys
5.8

Smog Journeys

Director of Photography (Camera)

2015

Jia Zhangke, A Guy from Fenyang
6.9

Jia Zhangke, A Guy from Fenyang

as Self

2014

A Touch of Sin
7.2

A Touch of Sin

Director of Photography (Camera)

2013

Venice 70: Future Reloaded
5.2

Venice 70: Future Reloaded

Director of Photography (Camera)

2013

Forgetting to Know You
6.0

Forgetting to Know You

Director of Photography (Camera)

2013

A Simple Life
7.5

A Simple Life

Director of Photography (Camera)

2012

Love and Bruises
5.4

Love and Bruises

Director of Photography (Camera)

2011

I Wish I Knew
6.7

I Wish I Knew

Director of Photography (Camera)

2010

Dream Home
6.4

Dream Home

as Brother Wah

2010

Plastic City
3.9

Plastic City

Director (Directing)

2009

Black Breakfast
5.5

Black Breakfast

Director of Photography (Camera)

2008

24 City
7.0

24 City

Director of Photography (Camera)

2008

Useless
6.4

Useless

Producer (Production)

2008

Getting Home
7.2

Getting Home

Director of Photography (Camera)

2007

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt
5.4

The Postmodern Life of My Aunt

Director of Photography (Camera)

2007

Dong
5.5

Dong

Director of Photography (Camera)

2006

Still Life
7.2

Still Life

Director of Photography (Camera)

2006

The World
6.9

The World

Director of Photography (Camera)

2004

Dance Me to the End of Love
7.0

Dance Me to the End of Love

Director of Photography (Camera)

2004

Jeonju Digital Project 2004
3.0

Jeonju Digital Project 2004

Director of Photography (Camera)

2004

All Tomorrow's Parties
5.9

All Tomorrow's Parties

Director (Directing)

2003

Unknown Pleasures
6.4

Unknown Pleasures

Director of Photography (Camera)

2002

Platform
7.0

Platform

Director of Photography (Camera)

2001

In Public
6.0

In Public

Director of Photography (Camera)

2001

Love Will Tear Us Apart
6.4

Love Will Tear Us Apart

Director (Directing)

1999

Ordinary Heroes
7.1

Ordinary Heroes

Director of Photography (Camera)

1999

Pickpocket
7.2

Pickpocket

Director of Photography (Camera)

1997

Neon Goddesses

Neon Goddesses

Director (Directing)

1996