Left-Handed Girl: The Buzzworthy Taiwanese Drama Hitting Netflix This November

Get ready for a deeply personal and visually stunning film! Director Shih-ching Tsou's acclaimed drama, co-written by Oscar-winner Sean Baker, explores family, tradition, and a unique superstition, and it's landing on Netflix globally soon.

TL;DR

• Shih-Ching Tsou's "Left-Handed Girl" is a critically acclaimed Taiwanese drama inspired by a childhood experience with superstition.
• The film, co-written, edited, and co-produced by Sean Baker, has already snagged major awards at Cannes and the Rome Film Festival.
• Mark your calendars! This powerful, visually unique family story hits Netflix worldwide on November 28, 2025.

A Personal Story That Took Two Decades to Reach the Big Screen

Imagine being a kid, just minding your own business, and then being told that one of your hands is "the devil's hand." Sounds intense, right? Well, that's exactly what happened to director Shih-Ching Tsou when she was a teenager in Taipei, picking up a knife with her left hand. Her grandfather gave her a stern warning, revealing a deep-seated Taiwanese superstition.

What's even wilder is that Tsou hadn't even realized she was left-handed! Turns out, her teachers had "corrected" her way back in kindergarten. This wasn't just a one-off family quirk either. She later found out her own mother was also left-handed and had been forced to use her right hand because society insisted everyone be "the same." Decades later, this lingering sense of shame and cultural pressure became the powerful core inspiration for her new film, Left-handed Girl.

And here’s a twist that truly highlights the ongoing nature of this tradition: even the young star of the film, Nina Ye, who was cast at age six, was left-handed but had been "corrected" by her grandmother. Tsou had to retrain Nina to use her left hand for the role! It just goes to show how these traditions, even seemingly small ones, can persist through generations.

Meet the Family: Three Generations, One Unforgettable Journey

Left-Handed Girl centers on a compelling trio of women: the sweet-natured five-year-old I-Jing (played by the incredible Nina Ye), her resilient mother Shu-Fen (Janel Tsai), and her rebellious older sister I-Ann (Shih-Yuan Ma). They've just moved from the quieter countryside to the bustling, neon-lit streets of Taipei, hoping for a fresh start as Shu-Fen opens a noodle stall at a busy night market.

But city life isn't easy. Shu-Fen is drowning in money problems, dealing with an ex-husband's medical emergency and astronomical funeral costs, and grappling with her own critical, narcissistic mother. I-Ann, a high school dropout, is frustrated with her life and her mom, working a questionable job at a betel nut stand and navigating a secret affair with her married boss.

And then there's I-Jing, the heart of the story. Her innocent perspective gives us a unique lens into their world. After her grandfather's stern warnings about her "devil's hand," she starts to believe her left hand has a sinful life of its own, leading her into unexpected acts, like shoplifting. The film masterfully explores not just the left-handed superstition, but also broader societal pressures faced by Asian women, like the traditional preference for sons over daughters and the societal expectation for women to have pale skin.

"This film began as a very personal story and took over 20 years to bring to the screen. To have it embraced here in Rome, where cinema and humanity are celebrated so beautifully, means the world to me."

— Shih-Ching Tsou, Director of Left-Handed Girl

A Cinematic Spectacle, Filmed Entirely on iPhones

You might be surprised to hear that this visually stunning film was shot entirely on iPhones. If you've seen Sean Baker's Tangerine, you know just how raw and intimate this technique can make a film feel. For Left-Handed Girl, this choice gives the audience an almost "surveillance-like" view, making you feel like you're right there, bearing witness to the family's most private and vulnerable moments.

The cinematography is a feast for the eyes, capturing the vibrant energy of Taipei. From the bright, kaleidoscopic neon lights of the night market to the beautiful night sky, the film makes the city itself a character. It's so picturesque, you might just find yourself craving Taiwanese noodles or booking a flight to Taipei!

From Cannes to the Oscars: A Festival Circuit Success Story

Left-Handed Girl has been making waves across the global film festival circuit, earning critical acclaim and several prestigious awards along the way. Its journey began with a world premiere at the Critics' Week section of the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2025, where it immediately picked up the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution.

Since then, it's charmed audiences at the Zurich Film Festival, received a standing ovation at the Busan Film Festival, and screened at the AFI Film Festival and the Virginia Film Festival. But one of its biggest triumphs came on October 25, 2025, when it won the Best Film prize at the Rome Film Festival's Progressive Cinema Competition. The jury, led by Italian icon Paola Cortellesi and including talents like Brian Selznick and William Oldroyd, recognized Tsou's powerful vision. Both Tsou and young Nina Ye delivered heartfelt pre-recorded acceptance speeches.

The buzz doesn't stop there. The film is also nominated for multiple categories at the upcoming 62nd Golden Horse Awards this November and, perhaps most excitingly, has been selected as Taiwan's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards in March 2026. This level of recognition is a testament to the film's universal themes and powerful storytelling.

Shih-Ching Tsou and Sean Baker: A Dream Team Collaboration

While this is Shih-Ching Tsou's solo directorial debut, it's built on a long-standing creative partnership with Oscar-winning director Sean Baker. Their collaboration dates back to 2004 with their first independent film, Take Out, a gritty look at the life of an illegal Chinese immigrant. Tsou has also been a key producer on many of Baker's acclaimed films, including Tangerine and The Florida Project, and has taken on various other roles like costume designer and even making cameos.

For Left-Handed Girl, Baker co-wrote the script with Tsou, and also served as editor and co-producer. Fans of Baker's work will spot his "Baker-isms" – the innocent lens of a child, the sister dynamic, and the signature warmth and hope that shine through, even in stories of struggle. This blend of Tsou's personal narrative and Baker's seasoned indie sensibilities creates a truly unique and compelling cinematic experience.

A Cast That Delivers Heart-Wrenching and Memorable Performances

The success of Left-Handed Girl hinges on its phenomenal cast, who bring these complex characters to life with remarkable authenticity:

• Nina Ye as I-Jing: Absolutely adorable and captivating, Nina perfectly embodies the innocence and emerging understanding of a child grappling with a confusing world. Her expressions are truly "to live for."
• Janel Tsai as Shu-Fen: Tsai delivers a quietly powerful performance as the overwhelmed mother. You can feel the immense pressure she carries daily, anchored by a mature and reserved portrayal.
• Shih-Yuan Ma as I-Ann: In what appears to be her first-ever film role, Ma gives a standout, star-making performance. Her portrayal of the rebellious older sister, dealing with personal struggles and evolving compassion, is both powerful and tragic. Her eyes do most of the talking, conveying the nuanced emotions of a complex teenager.

The film also features Akio Chen as the conservative grandfather, Brando Huang as the kind-hearted neighboring stall owner Johnny (a potential romantic interest for Shu-Fen), Hsia Teng Hung as I-Ann's lazy boss, and Xin-Yan Chao as the narcissistic grandmother. Together, they create a rich tapestry of family dynamics and societal influences.

More Than Entertainment: A Gentle Plea for Change and Understanding

Beyond being an enthralling family drama, Left-Handed Girl serves as a "gentle plea for change." Director Shih-Ching Tsou hopes the film encourages viewers to reflect on outdated traditions and consider how they might "reinvent to create a new one that's fair to everybody."

The film delves into universal themes of family secrets, resilience, and finding your place in a world that often tries to conform you. It highlights the beauty and warmth that can emerge even amidst insurmountable struggles, showing how simple acts of kindness and love can make the world a little easier. It's an optimistic film that, despite its serious themes, ultimately barrels towards a rambunctious, vulnerable, and gorgeous ending, suggesting that honesty and radical realness can pave the way towards happiness.

After all these years, Left-Handed Girl is a terrific return to directing for Shih-Ching Tsou, solidifying her as a powerful voice in independent cinema. It's a film that truly takes hold and doesn't let go, leaving you with a piece of its heart.

Frequently Asked Questions About Left-Handed Girl When can I watch Left-Handed Girl on Netflix? Left-Handed Girl will be available globally on Netflix starting November 28, 2025. What is Left-Handed Girl about? The film follows five-year-old I-Jing, her mother Shu-Fen, and older sister I-Ann as they move to Taipei. It explores family struggles, traditional Taiwanese superstitions (specifically about left-handedness being the "devil's hand"), and the resilience of women across three generations. Who directed Left-Handed Girl? The film is Shih-Ching Tsou's solo directorial debut, and she also co-wrote the script with Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, who also edited and co-produced the film. Is Left-Handed Girl based on a true story? While not a direct true story, the film is deeply personal and inspired by director Shih-Ching Tsou's own childhood experience of being "corrected" for being left-handed due to a Taiwanese superstition.

Sources

Information compiled from various film reviews and festival news coverage.