Left-Handed Girl

Brilliant and heartfelt, Left-Handed Girl blends the lyrical yet raw realism of Taiwanese New Cinema with the emotional accessibility of global indie hits like The Florida Project (TIFF ’17) and Anora (TIFF ’24), both of which were directed by Sean Baker, co-writer and producer of this film. It tells the story of Shu-fen (Janel Tsai), a single mother who runs a noodle stall in Taipei’s night market while navigating debt, depression, and the growing pains of her two daughters: rebellious, moody, 20-year-old I-Ann (portrayed by talented newcomer Shih-Yuan Ma) and curious five-year-old I-Jing (Nina Ye).

Told largely from I-Jing’s point of view, the film explores the fragility of family life in a society grappling with the clash between tradition and modernity. When her grandfather tells her that using her left hand is the mark of the devil, I-Jing begins to internalize shame and confusion — channelling her emotions into small acts of rebellion. Director Shih-Ching Tsou’s hand-held camera vividly captures Taipei as both a wonderland and a trap, alive with colour, chaos, and contradictions.

Rich in feminist undercurrents and powered by standout performances — especially from Ye, who steals every scene with her naturalism and emotional range — the film balances pathos and playfulness, including the girl’s unlikely bond with a pet meerkat. Tsou’s solo debut is intimate but universal, touching on intergenerational trauma and economic struggle with humour, tenderness, and clarity.

GIOVANNA FULVI