45 CIFF: 'Brief History of Family' Spots Light on China's Post One-Child Policy

On Wednesday, the Chinese feature "Brief History of a Family" by Lin Jianjie was screened as part of the 45 Cairo International Film Festival's International Critics Week competition.

The film narrates the story of Shuo, and Wei. Wei is the only son of a prosperous Chinese family. His father is a scientist, and his mother is a flight attendant. However, the relationship between Wei, and his parents witnesses several tensions as Wei is interested in video games, and fencing. His father wants to direct him to study English so he can study abroad.

Shuo is a mysterious guy. He doesn't reveal a lot of information about his family, but it seems he suffers from poor social conditions as his mother died when he was 10 years old, and his father is an alcohol addict, and he affords him cheap rice with soy sauce. 

Next, Wei sympathizes with Shuo and invites him to spend more time with him at home. The connections become tighter and tighter with Shuo and Wei's parents. In addition, Shuo is attempting to be the son Wei's parents always dreamed of having as they followed the one-child policy. 

During the film, the evil side of Shuo starts to shine more and more as he attempts to cast Wei away from the family and enjoy his life. 

He also attempts to kill Wei therefore his fragile dream of having his place in the family turns to dust in the wind.

The film ends with Shuo is alone without a family, and Wei starts to study English.

"Brief History of a Family" follows a slow-tempo series of events as it concentrates on the complexity of the relationship between teenagers and parents, especially the conflict between the family demands and commands, and the teens' hopes, interest, and desire.

The director gives wide space for the emotional side of the characters to shine, and to play a vital role in motivating the events.

The film touches upon several social issues, real-life situations, and honest emotional expressions. 

There is no doubt that one of the most impressive elements of the film is the great quality of the acting especially Sun Xilun who plays the role of Yan Shuo.