Film Review #141: PIERCE

Film Review - Pierce 刺心切骨

Pierce follows Zijie (Liu Hsiu Fu), a reserved high-schooler and prospective national fencer, raised by single mother Ai Ling (Ding Ning), as he faces an estranged older brother, Zihan (Tsao Yu Ning), a former three-time national fencing champion convicted of second degree murder who is to be released from juvenile prison.

At first glance, the premise seems like a familiar family drama. By the end of it, Pierce compellingly distinguishes itself as a uniquely personal film from Low.

Naturally, the film takes its time to explore the difficult rekindling of brotherly love between Zijie and Zihan. However, Pierce wastes no time in its overall narrative, building up to its climatic final act, conflict after conflict. It also challenges the viewer to examine the different characters’ decisions, perhaps even examining one’s own perception of familial love, and even our moral compass.

Courage also defines this film. The writer-director, a first-time feature filmmaker herself, entrusts the leading role of her deeply personal project to a relative newcomer in Taiwanese cinema. Liu’s layered portrayal of Zijie also adds to the film’s accolades as he was recently recognised by the Rome Film Fest 2024 - Best First Feature Award’s Special Mention. Barely a quarter since its successful Karlovy Vary world premiere, Pierce is likely to bag more awards in the coming months.



If one were to single out the most impressive trait of Pierce, I would sing praises to the young and promising Polish cinematographer Michal Dymek. Dymek’s most recent projects include Denmark’s submission to the 97th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature category, The Girl with the Needle (which will be screened as Singapore Film Society’s Showcase in November 2024), EO, which was nominated in the same Oscar category last year, representing Poland, and A Real Pain, another highly anticipated movie this year. Such a resume explains the superb camera work in Pierce. Apart from the brilliant use of close-ups at critical moments in the film, which worked to great effect given both Liu and Tsao’s sharp features, Dymek’s work truly shines in how it does not come across obviously to the audience how well the movie is shot, but instead completely immerses the viewer; only upon reflecting after finishing the film would one then realise just how immaculate every shot is.

Pierce wears its heart on its sleeve and does not abide by genre conventions. A moviegoer who craves a psychological thriller might just be as entertained by it as a fencing enthusiast. The early success of Pierce could signal more of such cross-cultural collaborations where talents from different parts of the world congregate and make art, improving and cementing Singapore’s position as an emerging player in world cinema.

Pierce opens islandwide in Singapore on 7 November.

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About the author: Jarrett is a devoted cinephile for over half of his life. Apart from movies, coffee keeps him awake and music keeps him alive. Having studied theatre and performed as an actor before, he's also a sucker for great performances.

Connect with Jarrett here: https://linktr.ee/jarrettandfilm

Pierce will have its Singapore Premiere on Thursday, 7th November, 7:30pm, at The Projector Golden Mile Tower, followed by a Q&A with Director Nelicia Low, moderated by Benjamin Kheng.

SFS Members may RSVP at https://singaporefilmsociety.eber.co/

Public tickets are available directly with The Projector: https://theprojector.sg/films-and-events/pierce/