Brief History of a Family (2024 Melbourne International Film Festival) ★★★½

THERE are essentially two types of filmgoers – those who prefer that conventions are adhered to and those who don’t.

The Chinese psychological drama Brief History of a Family requires the latter.

In his feature directorial debut Lin Jianjie, who also wrote the film, chooses the unconventional approach and insists on implying actions and thoughts rather than showing them.

His drama is a puzzle that requires the viewer to connect the carefully placed dots in a manner that will satisfy them personally.

The film is essentially a four-hander for the actors, but the implications of much more going on concurrently or in the past make you feel as if you are experiencing a more expansive narrative.

Our main protagonist is high school student Shou, a quiet but academically good loner.

He is almost accidentally befriended by another student, Wei, who is outgoing and less of a scholar.

The first time Wei invites Shou back to his home to play video games it is clear that Shou is from another societal class, such is the way he reacts to the prosperous lifestyle.

Slowly Shou becomes more entwined in the lives of Wei and his parents, causing tensions and reopening old wounds between the mother and father.

Is this ingratiation on Shou’s part and Wei’s resulting reactions by accident or design?

Sun Xilun as Shuo and Lin Muran as Wei display great maturity in their performances while Zu Feng as Wei’s father and Guo Keyu are equally good.

Brief History of a Family is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it provides an engrossing viewing experience.

Watched at the cinema.