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Pierce (film)

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Pierce
Promotional poster
Traditional Chinese刺心切骨
Hanyu PinyinCì xīn qiè gŭ
Directed byNelicia Low
Written byNelicia Low
Produced by
  • Sam Chua Weishi
  • Jeremy Chua
  • Patrick Mao Huang
  • Izabela Igel
  • John M. Lo
Starring
CinematographyMichal Dymek
Edited by
  • Nelicia Low
  • Eric Mendelsohn
Music byPiotr Kurek
Production
companies
  • Harine Films
  • Fixafilm
  • Potocol
  • Flash Forward Entertainment
  • Elysiüm Ciné
Distributed byPilot Film
Release dates
  • 3 July 2024 (2024-07-03) (KVIFF)
  • 7 November 2024 (2024-11-07) (Singapore)
Running time
109 minutes
Countries
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Poland
LanguageMandarin

Pierce (Chinese: 刺心切骨) is a 2024 psychological thriller film directed by Nelicia Low, in her debut feature. It delves into themes of sibling bonds and the ideals that are projected onto loved ones.[1][2] The Singapore-Taiwan-Poland co-production film had its premiere at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it received the Best Director Award.[3]

The film had its world premiere at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 3 July 2024, followed by a theatrical release in Singapore on 7 November.

Synopsis

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The film follows the tale of a high school fencer, who decides to trust and assist his dangerous older brother after his release from prison, defying their mother's efforts to conceal their traumatic past.[4]

Cast

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Production

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Development

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In 2014, Nelicia Low, a former competitive fencer from Singapore, conceived the story while producing her first short film in Taiwan.[5] She was inspired by the 2014 Taipei Metro attack, in which the attacker Cheng Chieh's younger brother blindly supported him and believed he was innocent.[6][7] The attacker's younger brother's blind love and support of him resonated with Low, whose brother is autistic.[7] Describing the project as "semi-autobiographical", Low began writing the screenplay in 2015, drawing inspiration from her personal relationships and experiences, and created a sibling relationship with parallels to her and her brother.[5][8] To develop the story, she researched American serial killers by watching documentaries, including those about Ted Bundy.[5] Low also incorporated LGBT elements into her story, crediting them with reflecting Taiwan's progressiveness in the context of legalized gay marriage.[6]

After five years of writing,[9] she completed the screenplay for Pierce during the Full Circle Lab in the Philippines and Talents Tokyo in 2020, where it received a special mention in the latter.[10] During the workshops, Low met a Polish producer who expressed interest in the project.[5] She envisioned having a non-Asian cinematographer to provide a unique perspective for the film, prompting her to reach out to Polish cinematographers and select Michael Dymek from 30 candidates that same year.[5] Pre-production also took five years, with two years based in Taiwan.[11] Ding Ning, Tsao Yu-ning, and Liu Hsiu-fu joined the cast in September 2021, coinciding with the film's presentation at the Focus Asia All Genres Project Market.[10] The project was jointly produced by Singapore's Potocol, Taiwan's Flash Forward Entertainment, and Poland's Harine Films, with funding from Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority, Taiwan Creative Content Agency, and the Polish Film Institute.[10] To prepare for their roles as competitive fencers, Tsao and Liu underwent nine months of fencing training.[12]

Filming and post-production

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Principal photography began in Taipei, Taiwan on 14 January 2022.[13][14] The film is cinematographed by Michal Dymek, and shot in a precise 1:66:1 aspect ratio.[15] The crew approached more than ten schools during location scouting but was unable to secure loans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading them to construct a production set for the school scenes.[16] Filming moved to Taichung on 7 February, supported by funding from the Taichung City Government.[11] Location shooting resumed in Taipei on 14 February.[17] Additional shooting took place in Taoyuan City and Yangmingshan,[18] wrapping up in late February with an expected one-year post-production period.[16][19] The same month, the film was presented at the European Film Market.[20] In May 2024, Magnify, the international sales arm of Magnolia Pictures acquired the sales rights.[21]

Release

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Pierce premiered at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 3 July 2024.[22] It was selected in Taiwan Transcendent section at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival and had its North American premiere on 13 July 2024.[23] It was showcased at the 2024 Atlantic International Film Festival on 16 September 2024 in Narrative New Waves section, and on 21 September at the Helsinki International Film Festival [24] The film was also invited at the 29th Busan International Film Festival in 'A Window on Asian Cinema' section and was screened on 6 October 2024.[25] Later in the same month it was screened at the 19th Rome Film Festival in Free Style section.[26] On 9 November it was screened at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in 'New Talent Award' section.[27] In November, it competed for the Golden Peacock Award at the 55th International Film Festival of India in International competition section and was screened on 25 November.[28]

The film was theatrically released in Singapore on 7 November 2024.[29]

Reception

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John Berra reviewing for Screen Daily at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival gave positive review writing, the film is an elegant package with significant art-house appeal... Its main strength lies in Low's narratively swift yet psychologically nuanced screenplay, which elevates Pierce into a sophisticated genre film.[30]

Vladan Petkovic reviewing for Cineuropa praised the director Nelicia Low writing, "In her psychological thriller, Nelicia Low showcases admirable control of cinematic language and storytelling."[15]

Jessica Kiang giving positive review for Variety wrote that the film, like many thrillers, uses some predictable narrative techniques to build suspense. However, Pierce is crafted with such finesse that the mechanics are mostly hidden from view.[31]

John Lui of The Straits Times gave the film 4/5 stars, commending its "complex dynamics of sibling relationships" that utilize fencing as both a "setting and metaphor", and highlighting its shocking third act and emotional depth regarding family trauma.[32]

Accolades

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Award Date Category Recipient Result Ref.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 6 July 2024 Crystal Globe: Best Director Nelicia Low Won [33]
La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival 20 October 2024 Grand Jury Prize Pierce Won [34]
International Film Festival of India 28 November 2024 Golden Peacock Pierce Pending [28]

References

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  1. ^ "'Pierce' director thanks Taiwan's during speech". Taipei Times. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. ^ Low, Nelicia (28 May 2024). "Pierce". Cineuropa. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  3. ^ Chakraborty, Drima (11 July 2024). "'Does the truth really matter when it comes to love?' Ex-national fencer Nelicia Low gets personal with 1st feature film, wins Best Director at Czech festival". AsiaOne. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  4. ^ Leo Barraclough (28 May 2024). "Karlovy Vary Film Festival Lineup Includes 15 Directorial Debuts, Plus Films by Established Filmmakers". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e Sorrento, Matthew (25 September 2024). "We Need to Talk About Yu-ning: Nelicia Low on Pierce". FilmInt. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b Boyce, Laurence (3 July 2024). "Nelicia Low explains how fencing and brotherly love inspired her Karlovy Vary premiere 'Pierce'". Screen Daily. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b Chakraborty, Drima (11 July 2024). "'Does the truth really matter when it comes to love?' Ex-national fencer Nelicia Low gets personal with 1st feature film, wins Best Director at Czech festival". AsiaOne. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  8. ^ Chinnuswamy, Yamini (16 June 2024). "S'porean director Nelicia Low's debut feature film Pierce to compete at prestigious Czech festival". The Strait Times. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  9. ^ Merican, Sara (14 November 2024). "'Pierce' Director Nelicia Low Talks Crystal Globe Win And Making Her First 'American Film'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Frater, Patrick (14 September 2021). "Sports Drama 'Pierce' Gets to the Heart of Sibling Relationships". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  11. ^ a b 李澍 (7 February 2022). "星籍導演執導跨國電影《刺心切骨》 用鏡頭呈現台中之美". Nownews (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  12. ^ 黃保慧 (8 July 2024). "曹佑寧苦練擊劍9個月 「刺心切骨」女導獲大獎". World Journal (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  13. ^ 鍾志均 (15 January 2022). "曹佑寧練擊劍狂操9個月 國手級導演特訓扮黑臉". Liberty Times (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  14. ^ 鍾雨璉 (14 January 2022). "丁寧期待「威妮CP」小孩身高 曹佑寧耗9個月練擊劍比《全明星》還累". ETtoday (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  15. ^ a b Petkovic, Vladan (8 July 2024). "Review: Pierce". Cineuropa. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  16. ^ a b 廖福生 (14 February 2022). "曹佑寧挑戰擊劍選手 融入暗黑角色自帶神秘感". TVBS News (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  17. ^ 李承陽 (14 February 2022). "曹佑寧自帶神祕感黑化 《刺心切骨》新加坡雙製片愛上台北市拍片". China Times (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  18. ^ "跨國合作電影《刺心切骨》開鏡 曹佑寧挑戰擊劍挑戰黑暗性格". Mirror Media (in Chinese). 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  19. ^ 王心妤 (15 January 2022). "台星合製刺心切骨 曹佑寧劉修甫苦練擊劍9個月". Central News Agency (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  20. ^ 郭玉屏 (8 February 2024). "文策院進軍「歐洲電影市場展」 臺灣參展成長一倍". Independence Evening Post (in Chinese). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  21. ^ Ritman, Alex (1 May 2024). "Magnify Acquires Taiwanese Fencing Thriller 'Pierce,' Releases Teaser Ahead of Cannes Market Launch (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  22. ^ Kudláč, Martin (28 May 2024). "The 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival reveals its competition titles". Cineuropa. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  23. ^ "23rd New York Asian Film Festival". NYAFF. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Pierce". Helsinki International Film Festival. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  25. ^ "The 29th BIFF 'Pierce'". Busan International Film Festival. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Films of the 2024 Film Fest". Cinema Foundation for Rome. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  27. ^ "'Pierce'". Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  28. ^ a b Shemin Joy (13 November 2024). "15 films including three from India to compete for prestigious Golden Peacock at IFFI 2024 in Goa". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  29. ^ Sukri, Hazeeq (22 October 2024). "Pierce by Singaporean director Nelicia Low to premiere in Singapore. Catch a special screening with Q&A session". CNA. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  30. ^ Berra, John (3 July 2024). "'Pierce': Karlovy Vary Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  31. ^ Jessica Kiang (10 July 2024). "'Pierce' Review: A Saber-Sharp Sociopathy Thriller in Which Brotherly Love Duels With Suspicion". Variety. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  32. ^ Lui, John (6 November 2024). "At The Movies: In Singapore-Taiwan film Pierce, brotherly bonds cut deeper than blades". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  33. ^ Wise, Damon (6 July 2024). "Karlovy Vary Reveals Award Winners: Mark Cousins' Doc 'A Sudden Glimpse To Deeper Things' Takes The Crystal Globe". Deadline. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  34. ^ Lemercier, Fabien (21 October 2024). "Pierce crowned at La Roche-sur-Yon". Cineuropa. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
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