Left-Handed Girl tells a emotional story about a family headed by a single mom as they struggle to survive. The mom opens a noodle shop in a busy night market in Taipei, Taiwan.

Left-Handed Girl was co-written and directed by Shih-Ching Tsou. Her co-writer, producer and editor was Sean Baker. Interestingly, this film was shot entirely with an iPhone, similar to Baker’s earlier Tangerine. The film was shot in a live market and on bustling streets as Taipei swirled around them.

Shu-Fen (Janel Tsai) moved her family into a tiny apartment. They had been living out of the city. I-Ann (Shih-Yuan Ma) was 18 and angry with her mother. She refused to work in the noodle shop and instead found a job in a place selling betel nut confections. I-Jing (Nina Ye) was five and ready to go to school. She was cheerful and happy.

I-Jing was left-handed. This was fine with everyone in the family, until I-Jing’s grandfather told her that the left hand was the devil’s hand and using it was doing the devil’s work.

This preyed on I-Jing’s mind. It was like her left hand was a disembodied being with a mind of its own.

I-Ann’s father died about that time and Shu-Fen paid for the funeral. I-Ann was furious about this. Plus, it put Shu-Fen in a financial bind and behind on her rent for the noodle shop. She asked her family for help but they didn’t help daughters, only sons. The strong preference for male children was an important theme in the film.

A fellow from the night market, Johnny (Brando Huang), wanted to help her but she wouldn’t let him.

When the family held a banquet for the grandmother’s 60th birthday, high emotion and family secrets all came spilling out. The blowup explained a lot of complications about this family and cleared the air.

I found this film beautiful and heartwarming. It is Taiwan’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Youngster Nina Ye was often the solo character in her scenes, and she was terrific. You can see it on Netflix.