Family dynamics inspire acclaimed film opening on Friday

The film Brief History of a Family, the directorial debut feature of New York-educated filmmaker Lin Jianjie, is scheduled to open in domestic theaters on Friday.

Filled with suspense, the film centers on a middle-class family where the parents and their 16-year-old son lead a comfortable yet emotionally distant life. The family's dynamic shifts when the son's quiet, reserved teenage friend becomes a frequent visitor. As the boy grows closer to the family, it becomes clear that he harbors a more complex background than initially thought.

Director Lin, who is an only child, said that his observations of only-child upbringings deeply influenced the film. One of his most striking reflections was how parents often devote all their resources to their child, providing the best education, food, and clothing, while also placing immense expectations on them. This theme became the key inspiration for the movie.

Before its domestic release, the film gained international recognition after being showcased at the United States' Sundance Film Festival in Utah and the Berlin International Film Festival. It also won awards for Best Artistic Contribution and Most Promising Director at the 14th Beijing International Film Festival last year.