Who starts a review with such a controversial opinion? Apparently, I do. I'm clearly trying to grab your attention, but that's because I want to encourage you to watch Left-Handed Girl, which premieres globally on Netflix this November. This isn't just because I myself am a "left-handed girl," but also because this film reminds us what it feels like to enjoy a good cinematic experience. Having seen it in a completely packed theater at the Busan Film Festival, I'm not just speaking for myself when I say this film will make you react out loud, thanks to the protagonist, who is the same age as Matilda was back in the day. Seeing anything from a child's perspective is always endearing, but seeing the bustling, neon-lit streets of Taiwanese markets against the beautiful night sky is something else entirely.
Left-Handed Girl tells the story of a young girl named I-Jing, who gets into trouble every time she's around her grandfather because, as you might have guessed, she always uses her left hand first. At the same time, she, her mother, and her sister have just moved to a new place in Taipei, ready to start a noodle business in the busy market. Will they be able to survive the exorbitant Taipei rents and remain a close-knit family living in the big city? That's what you'll find out after watching Left-Handed Girl.
Director: Shih-Ching Tsou
Writers: Sean Baker, Shih-Ching Tsou
Stars: Esther K. Chae, Janel Tsai, Nina Ye
The film is written by Sean Baker, and you can immediately see his distinctive characteristics. Before Anora, there was The Florida Project, and there are many similarities between these two films. From the innocent gaze of a young girl to the dynamics between sisters, there are many obvious parallels, but Left-Handed Girl has its own personality, specifically in the way it immerses us in Taiwanese culture. Directed and co-written by Shih-Ching Tsou, Baker's long-time collaborator, Left-Handed Girl is a spectacle starring women from three generations. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, I implore you to watch the film without knowing anything about it, because it reveals a large part of the plot. The long collaboration between Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou is certainly reflected in the way the film is presented, and honestly, I love it.
I managed to see two Taiwanese films at BIFF, and both have a distinctive aesthetic, both aesthetically charming and emotionally moving. In Left-Handed Girl, the main characters aren't just the lead actresses. There's also the motorcycle that I-Ann rides and the table where Shu-Fen prepares her noodles. I myself come from a country where, for a long time, being left-handed was considered taboo, but I-Jing's reaction to her grandfather's threats is creative and unique, something I wish I had thought of myself (I don't want to give away spoilers) because it's a fundamental part of the film. But when this conflict is resolved, you think the film is over, although in reality it has only just begun.
The first two acts of the film are subtle, understated, and very entertaining, using humor to enhance the beauty of the city that we experience through I-Jing's eyes, but the final act becomes a full-blown Taiwanese family drama. To be honest, I'm not complaining at all, but I understand why it might draw criticism, considering it almost feels like a last-minute addition to an otherwise rather "quiet" film (for lack of a better word). To be fair, after reflecting on the film days after watching it, I realize that it prepares you for those moments from the beginning, but it can still feel a little jarring.
Janel Tsai plays Shu-Fen, the mother who is fed up with her life. She brings a mature perspective to the film, anchoring the otherwise fantastical atmosphere to reality. The actress has her own romantic adventures in the film, which mostly take place off-screen, because, to be honest, she's a supporting character. On the other hand, there's Shih-Yuan Ma, Shu-Fen's eldest daughter. A rebellious young woman who does things her own way, dresses however she wants, even if everyone disapproves, and has big dreams for her future. It seems this is the actress's first film role, and she does a fantastic job.
Her eyes say it all, because we all know what teenagers are like: they say one thing and feel another. Furthermore, her hair is also a main character; her long, straight black locks cover her when needed and are pulled back when she knows what she wants. But, of course, the real star of this film is little Nina Ye, who plays I-Jing. Watching her dance to a K-pop song deeply moved me, but jokes aside, the young actress is both innocent and determined.
If you're a food lover, you might enjoy a bowl of your favorite noodles while watching the film. It might whet your appetite, or at least leave you craving Asian takeout. It might also make you want to buy tickets to Taipei just because of how wonderfully bright and inviting the city looks, both from the innocent perspective of a young girl and through the eyes of a woman looking to escape. Everything in the film is picturesque, and for that reason alone, Left-Handed Girl is worth watching. But if nothing I've said has convinced you, at least watch it because it's Sean Baker's first project after Anora. I give Left-Handed Girl 4 out of 5 stars and a little piece of my heart.
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