The San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award recognizes the commitment, artistry and vision of Shumin Liu and his ambitious family drama THE FAMILY. It's remarkable that such a bold production is the multi-talented filmmaker's first film. While a four-and-a-half hour running time undoubtedly qualifies it as an epic, THE FAMILY is foremost an intimate human drama about an elderly couple adjusting to a new China and changes in their family dynamics. Our hope is this SFFCC Award will encourage a broader audience to embark on this long, but utterly rewarding cinematic journey.