2 weeks ago
China's Teochew Film Dear You Finds Global Audience
Dear You is a Chinese movie made mostly in Teochew, a dialect from southern China.
Many people in China need subtitles to understand that dialect.
The movie tells the story of a young man searching for his grandfather in Bangkok.
His search reveals how Chinese immigrants worked abroad and sent letters and money home.
The film also shows the experiences of families separated by migration.
It became one of China’s biggest films this year despite having a small budget and mostly unknown actors.
People in Southeast Asia connected with the story because it reflects their own family histories.
Chinese officials are promoting the movie overseas as an example of Chinese storytelling.
Dear You, filmed mostly in the Teochew dialect, became China’s second-highest-grossing film of the year.
The low-budget film has earned about 269 million yuan, or $40 million, at China’s box office as of August.
Set in Bangkok, the story follows a young man investigating his grandfather’s life among the Teochew immigrant community.
The film explores Chinese migration to Southeast Asia through family ties, remittance letters and the qiaopi system.
After releases in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand, Dear You is scheduled for release in the United States next month.
- Who
- The film’s director Lan Hongchun, its mostly unknown cast, Chinese immigrants and their descendants, and Chinese cultural officials are central to the story.
- What
- Dear You became China’s second-highest-grossing film of the year and began an international release.
- Where
- The film is set among the Teochew immigrant community in Bangkok and has been released in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand.
- When
- The film had earned about 269 million yuan as of August; it reached Thailand in early August and is scheduled for U.S. release next month.
- Why
- Its story of migration, family, remittances and separation resonated with audiences, while Chinese officials see it as a way to present Chinese stories and values abroad.
Key facts
- Film
- Dear You
- Language
- Mostly Teochew, a dialect spoken in Guangdong’s Shantou region
- Box office
- About 269 million yuan ($40 million) in China as of August
- Setting
- The Teochew immigrant community in Bangkok
- Central historical theme
- Chinese migration to Southeast Asia
- Key plot device
- Qiaopi, remittance letters carrying money and news to families in China
- International rollout
- Released in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand; U.S. release planned for next month
Quotes
Thitikorn Phanprayoon
Third-generation Thai Chinese viewer who speaks Teochew at home
“We're grateful to Guangdong for making such a wonderful film. Stories about ordinary people and simple, genuine emotions can be even more moving. This film is an excellent vehicle for telling China's story well.”
CNBC TV 18
“I felt like I was sitting at home. It felt like my family was performing in the movie in front of me.”
CNBC TV 18
Chinese consul in Sydney
Chinese diplomatic official who spoke at a June screening in Sydney
“reflects the Chinese nation's virtues of diligence, kindness, courage and unity.”
CNBC TV 18
Sources
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