{{short description|2024 psychological thriller film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Brief History of a Family | image = Brief History of a Family film poster.jpg | caption = Festivals release poster | native_name = {{Infobox Chinese/Chinese|child=yes|hide=no|header=none | t = 家庭簡史 | s = 家庭简史 | l = A Brief History of the Family | p = Jia ting jian shi | j = }} | director = Lin Jianjie | writer = Lin Jianjie | producer = Lou Ying <br> Zheng Yue <br> Wang Yiwen | starring = {{Plainlist| * [[Zu Feng]] * Guo Keyu * Sun Xilun * Lin Muran }} | editing = Per K. Kirkegaard | cinematography = Zhang Jiahao | music = Toke Brorson Odin | studio = {{Plainlist| * First Light Films * Films du Milieu * Tambo Film }} | distributor = {{Plainlist| * Films Boutique }} | released = {{Film date|2024|1|19|[[2024 Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]]|2024|2|17|[[74th Berlin International Film Festival|Berlinale]]|df=yes}} | runtime = 99 minutes | country = {{Plainlist| * China * France * Denmark * Qatar }} | language = Mandarin | budget = {{US$|1.5}} million | gross = }}
'''''Brief History of a Family''''' ({{zh|c=家庭简史}}), is a 2024 [[psychological thriller]] film written and directed by Lin Jianjie in his feature directorial debut. The film, starring Zu Feng, Guo Keyu, Sun Xilun, and Lin Muran depicts a middle-class Chinese family in the post-[[One-child policy|one-child-policy]] era, who takes in their only son's mysterious new friend, triggering buried family tensions as secrets and feelings surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/film/454158/ |title= Brief History of a Family |first= Lin|last= Jianjie |date=17 January 2024|access-date=11 February 2024 |website= [[Cineuropa]] |language=en}}</ref>
An international co-production, the film was selected in the Panorama section at the [[74th Berlin International Film Festival]] and was screened on 17 February 2024 for its European premiere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/454943 |title= The Panorama strand of the Berlinale to open with Levan Akin's Crossing |first= Davide|last= Abbatescianni |date=17 January 2024|access-date=11 February 2024 |website= [[Cineuropa]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Synopsis== Wei, an outgoing young man and the only son of a prosperous Chinese family, shares an unexpected bond with Shuo, his quiet and observant classmate, after an incident at their high school. This mysterious connection draws them closer, intertwining their lives. He introduces Shuo to his parents—a cell biologist father and a former flight attendant mother. Intrigued by Shuo's enigmatic charm, Wei's parents encourage him to spend more time with their family. As Shuo becomes increasingly integrated into their lives, he uncovers hidden layers beneath their seemingly comfortable existence. However, a tragic event shatters the fragile equilibrium, revealing old wounds and current fears. The family's facade begins to crack, and the true complexities of their relationships come to light.
==Cast== * [[Zu Feng]] as Wei's father * Guo Keyu as Wei's mother * Sun Xilun as Yan Shuo * Lin Muran as Tu Wei
==Production==
In the production phase, the project was presented at the industry event European Work in Progress, as part of the [[Film Festival Cologne]] 2022, where it won the mm filmpresse Award worth {{€}}7,500 for international festival public relations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/432331/ |title= European Work in Progress Cologne announces its winners |first=Teresa |last=Vena |date=21 October 2022|access-date=11 February 2024 |website= [[Cineuropa]] |language=en}}</ref> The film made with a budget of {{US$|1.5}} million was financed by [[Doha Film Institute]] Qatar, Torino Lab and Films du Milieu. It was shot in Chengdu, Hangzhou and Beijing.<ref name="prod:var">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/china-sundance-lin-jianjie-brief-history-of-a-family-1235880076/ |title=China's Lin Jianjie Debuts Genre-Fluid 'Brief History of a Family' at Sundance: 'Chinese Middle Classes Are Still New to This Identity' (EXCLUSIVE) |first=Patrick|last= Frater |date=19 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
==Release==
''Brief History of a Family'' had its premiere in World Cinema Dramatic Competition at [[2024 Sundance Film Festival]] on 19 January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sundance-film-festival-line-up-2024-1235711411/ |title=2024 Sundance Film Festival Lineup: New Steven Soderbergh Film, Kristen Stewart Love Story and Devo Doc|last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=6 December 2023 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/656a019efac9f4f21ec041a5 |title=Brief History of a Family|work=Sundance Film Festival|date=19 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref> It had its European premiere on 17 February 2024, as part of the [[74th Berlin International Film Festival]], in Panorama.<ref name="pan:dl" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2024/programme/202402436.html#screening_dates |title=Brief History of a Family|work=Berlinale |date=6 February 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref> Films Boutique acquired the sales rights of the film.<ref name="fb:var">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/brief-history-of-a-family-films-boutique-sundance-1235883828/ |title=Suspenseful Drama 'Brief History of a Family,' Sold by Films Boutique, Debuts Trailer Following World Premiere at Sundance (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Leo|last= Barraclough |date=23 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
The film was featured in Features section of the [[71st Sydney Film Festival]] on June 7, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sff.org.au/program/browse/brief-history-of-a-family |title= Brief History of a Family |website=Sydney Film Festival Festival|date=June 8, 2024|access-date=July 23, 2024|language=en}}</ref> The film was also screened in 'Horizons' at the [[58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]] on 28 June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/catalogue-of-films/sekce/904-horizons |title= Catalogue of Films – Horizons|website=The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival|date=June 28, 2024|access-date=September 1, 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/463579/ |title= Karlovy Vary unveils the full line-up for its 58th edition|first= Martin |last= Kudlac |date=14 June 2024|access-date=September 1, 2024 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> The film was showcased in 'China on the move' at the [[23rd New York Asian Film Festival]] on July 20, 2024.<ref name="sch:nyaff">{{cite web|url=https://www.nyaff.org/nyaff24/schedule |title= 23rd New York Asian Film Festival: Schedule & Tickets|publisher= NYAFF |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref> It was screened in 'Panorama' at the [[2024 Vancouver International Film Festival]] on 26 September 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://viff.org/series/panorama/ |title=Brief History of a Family |work=VIFF|date=28 August 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}}</ref> It also made it to the Meeting Point of the [[69th Valladolid International Film Festival]] and screened on 25 October.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seminci.com/en/seccion/meeting-point-2024/|website=Semana Internacional|date=26 August 2024|title=Seminci: Meeting Point|access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref> It competed in [[2024 Stockholm International Film Festival]] and was screened on 9 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en/brief-history-of-a-family |title= Brief History of a Family |date=9 November 2024|access-date=24 December 2024|website= Stockholm International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref> The film was selected in the Foreground section of the [[35th Singapore International Film Festival]] and was screened on 30 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sgiff.com/explore-films/ |title=Explore Films|date=28 October 2024|access-date=4 December 2024|website=Singapore International Film Festival}}</ref>
==Reception== === Critical response === On the review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] website, the film has an approval rating of 92% based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10.<ref name="score:rotten">{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |title= Brief History of a Family (2024, Drama) |id= brief_history_of_a_family |type=m |access-date=21 October 2025}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], it has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100 based on 10 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=brief-history-of-a-family |type=movie |title= Brief History of a Family |access-date=22 March 2025}}</ref>
Elena Lazic of [[Cineuropa]] reviewing the film at Sundance Film Festival praised the director writing, "the debut feature from Chinese director Lin Jianjie, skillfully builds up suspense and a fascinating, morbid intensity by showing in minute detail how easy it can be to let societal demands for excellence threaten even the most sacred bonds." Concluding her review Lazic wrote, "An assured debut displaying a fantastic control of craft and a remarkably nuanced understanding of human psychology, the film dares to expose the serious strain that social and economic expectations put on a structure once meant to be a haven of love and support."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/455340/ |title= Review: Brief History of a Family|first= Elena |last= Lazic |date=24 January 2024|access-date=11 February 2024 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref>
James Mottram of [[South China Morning Post]] rated the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "There are moments of real subtlety sewn into the fabric. The performances are rightly understated too, with Lin also smartly capturing the glistening urban backdrops – everything has a cold, impersonal sheen." Mottram compared the film to British actress-director [[Emerald Fennell]]’s 2023 black comedy psychological thriller film ''[[Saltburn (film)|Saltburn]]'', which incidentally also "features an interloper penetrating the confines of a well-to-do family." In end Mottram wrote, "''Brief History of a Family'' is a film that leaves viewers with a disquieting feeling as the credits roll."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3248865/sundance-2024-brief-history-family-chinese-drama-exposing-tensions-perfect-post-one-child-policy |title= Review – Sundance 2024: Brief History of a Family – Chinese drama exposing tensions in a 'perfect' post-one-child-policy family is impersonal and unsettling |first= James|last= Mottram |date=15 February 2024 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref>
Carlos Aguilar, reviewing at the Sundance Film Festival for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', wrote, "Elevated by its consistent visual inventiveness... the closer we observe, the more it reveals itself as a tale of wish fulfillment for everyone involved."<ref name="rev:var">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/brief-history-of-a-family-review-1235882108/ |title='Brief History of a Family' Review: Suspenseful Chinese Drama Puts a Twist on the Family Infiltrator Plot |first=Carlos|last= Aguilar |date=22 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
John Berra of ''[[ScreenDaily]]'' giving positive review wrote that the film has "elusive quality and uniquely disquieting tone". Berra opined thar the "ambiguity is maintained through a finely modulated quartet of performances which are in-synch with the film’s technical elements." Concluding he wrote, that the film "is not so much of a critique of China’s middle-class as the conditions that have shaped its evolution."<ref name="rev:sd">{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/brief-history-of-a-family-sundance-review/5189657.article |title='Brief History Of A Family': Sundance Review |first= John |last= Berra|date=22 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |website=[[ScreenDaily]] |language=en}}</ref>
On March 19th, 2025, the critic Leslie Felperin in [[The Guardian]] called the film an “exquisitely constructed drama”, praising as well “Zhang Jiahao’s sculptural cinematography and the sparse palette of composer Toke Brorson Odin’s score”, stating that for this fact alone it is “well-worth seeing in a cinema, not just on a small screen at home”.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Felperin |first=Leslie |date=2025-03-19 |title=Brief History of a Family review – mysterious interloper at centre of exquisitely constructed drama |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/19/brief-history-of-a-family-review-mysterious-interloper-at-centre-of-exquisitely-constructed-drama |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! Award ! Date ! Category ! Recipient ! Result ! class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- ! scope="row" | [[Sundance Film Festival]] | [[2024 Sundance Film Festival|26 January 2024]] | Grand Jury Prize – World Cinema Dramatic | ''Brief History of a Family'' | {{Nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://festival.sundance.org/blogs/the-complete-list-of-2024-sundance-film-festival-award-winners/ |title=The Complete List of 2024 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners |work=Sundance Film Festival|date=26 January 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | [[Berlin International Film Festival]] | [[74th Berlin International Film Festival|25 February 2024]] | Panorama Audience Award for Best Feature Film | Lin Jianjie | {{Nom}} | align="center" | <ref name="pan:dl">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/berlinale-2024-full-panorama-forum-generation-line-ups-1235795060/|title=Berlinale Unveils Full Panorama, Forum & Generation Line-Ups With New Films By Nathan Silver, Levan Akin, André Téchiné & Bruce LaBruce|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|first=Melanie |last=Goodfellow|date=17 January 2024|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | [[Miskolc International Film Festival]] | 14 September 2024 | Emeric Pressburger Prize | ''Brief History of a Family'' | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/hungary-news/item/126105-the-20th-anniversary-edition-of-cinefest-miskolc-iff-ready-to-take-off|title=The 20th Anniversary Edition of CineFest Miskolc IFF Ready to Take Off|website=FilmNewEurope|date=August 31, 2024|accessdate=September 15, 2024}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Camerimage]] | rowspan="2" | [[32nd International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Camerimage|23 November 2024]] | Director's Debut Competition | rowspan="2" | Jiahao Zhang | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://camerimage.pl/en/news/directors--debuts-competition-2024-lineup|title=Directors' Debuts Competition 2024 Lineup!|website=[[Camerimage]]|accessdate=31 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://camerimage.pl/en/news/cinematographers--debuts-competition-2024-lineup|title=Conematographers' Debuts Competition 2024 Lineup!|website=[[Camerimage]]|accessdate=31 October 2024}}</ref> |- | Cinematographer's Debut Competition | {{Nom}} |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Golden Rooster Awards]] | rowspan="2" | [[38th Golden Rooster Awards|15 November 2025]] | [[Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] | [[Zu Feng]] | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 2025 |title=官宣：2025年中国金鸡百花电影节，11月11日至15日相约厦门！ |url=https://www.cgrhfff.com/news-center/36475/ |access-date=21 October 2025 |website=[[Golden Rooster Awards|China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival]] |language=zh-hans}}</ref> |- | [[Golden Rooster Award for Best Writing|Best Writing]] | Lin Jianjie | {{Nom}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}} * {{IMDb title}} * [https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/656a019efac9f4f21ec041a5 ''Brief History of a Family''] at Sundance * [https://www.berlinale.de/en/2024/programme/202402436.html ''Brief History of a Family''] at Berlinale
[[Category:2024 films]] [[Category:2024 Mandarin-language films]] [[Category:Chinese thriller films]] [[Category:Danish thriller films]] [[Category:2024 French films]] [[Category:2024 directorial debut films]] [[Category:French psychological thriller films]] [[Category:French thriller films]] [[Category:Qatari thriller films]] [[Category:2024 Chinese films]] [[Category:2024 Danish films]] [[Category:2024 Qatari films]]