BRIEF HISTORY OF A FAMILY

Feature Film

Jianjie Lin |

China, France, Denmark, Qatar |

2024 |

99Min |

Mandarin

Synopsis

Wei, an outgoing son from a middle-class family, and Shuo, his quiet classmate, find themselves connected through some mysterious energy that draws them into each otherŐs lives. Wei soon introduces his friend to his father, a cell biologist, and his mother, a former flight attendant. Learning that Shuo comes from a troubled background, they welcome this boy with an enigmatic charm to spend more time in their home. Shuo discovers that their comfortable existence is shadowed by unspoken secrets, unmet expectations, and untended emotions.

Director

Jianjie Lin

Producer

Lou Ying, Zheng Yue, Wang Yiwen

Cinematographer

Zhang Jiahao

Screenplay

Lin Jianjie

Principal Cast

Zu Feng, Guo Keyu, Sun Xilun, Lin Muran

Screenings

18 Jul 19:00 Ballito Junction

26 Jul 16:30 Pavilion 12

Jianjie Lin

After obtaining a bachelorŐs degree in bioinformatics, Jianjie LinŐs passion for deciphering human existence led him to filmmaking. He received his MFA degree in filmmaking from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. His short films, A Visit (2015), a satire about corruption and vanity, and Gu (2017), about a familyŐs last reunion at court, were screened at many international film festivals. Hippopotami, his latest short, which he shot before the feature, is in post-production. It looks at the harshness and absurdity of life through the eyes of a little girl. Brief History of a Family is his feature film debut.