Introduction to Pierce
The international sales branch of Magnolia Pictures, Enlarged, has successfully completed a series of territory sales for the film Pierce at the American Film Market (AFM). The psychological thriller, which won the Best Director Award at Karlovy Vary for Nelicia Low, has garnered significant attention worldwide.
Territory Sales
Sales for Pierce have been closed in several territories, including France (Outsider), Japan (Interfilm), South Korea (Special Movie City), Hong Kong (Edko), Indonesia (Falcon), the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Pilot), and Airlines (Encore). Further negotiations for remaining territories are set to take place in Singapore, with the Coalition Point Culture Co. scheduled to release the film in Taiwan on December 27th.
The Story of Pierce
Pierce tells the story of Jie, a young fencer who defies his mother’s wishes and reconnects with his estranged older brother Han, who has just been released from a youth prison after serving seven years for killing an opponent during a fencing competition. As the brothers grow closer, Jie begins to question whether he can truly trust Han, given his violent past. The film stars newcomer Liu Hsiu-Fu as Jie and Tsao Yu-Ning as Han, with Ding Ning also featuring in a key role.
Awards and Recognition
Pierce has received its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival and has been showcased at Busan and Rome, where Liu Hsiu-Fu received a special mention. The film recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the La Roche-Sur-Yon International Film Festival, further solidifying its reputation as a gripping and thought-provoking thriller.
Production and Background
Pierce was produced by Jeremy Chua and Sam Chua Weishi from Pōtocol, in association with Patrick Mao Huang and Evril Kuo from Flash Forward Entertainment, Izabela Igl of Harine Films, and John M. Lo from Elysiem Ciné. Director Nelicia Low, who grew up in Singapore and represented her country as a fencer for five years, brings a unique perspective to the film, drawing from her own experiences in the world of competitive fencing.
Sales and Distribution
The sales for Pierce were negotiated by Lorna Lee Torres, SVP of Global Sales at Enlarged, and Austin Kennedy, Director of Global Sales. Their efforts have ensured that the film will reach a wide audience worldwide, introducing viewers to the intense and captivating world of competitive fencing.
