Piercing I

Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, Piercing I explores the struggles of Zhang Xiaojun, who finds himself suddenly unemployed after the closure of a shoe factory in China. As he grapples with his new reality, a violent encounter with a supermarket guard falsely accusing him of theft only deepens his despair. Desperate for justice, Zhang appeals to the supermarket's manager, but his pleas go unanswered. His longing to return to his rural roots and embrace a simpler life as a farmer becomes his guiding light.

However, just as Zhang is preparing to leave the city, an unexpected twist occurs when he is apprehended by the police. Meanwhile, the supermarket manager navigates his own set of challenges, highlighting the interconnectedness of their lives. On a serene night illuminated by the moon, their paths intertwine at a teahouse by the city rampart, weaving a poignant narrative of hope and resilience amid hardship.