"Dear You," a film produced in South China's Guangdong Province, was screened for international distributors and industry insiders at the Cannes Market Screening on May 15, as the surprise box-office hit continues to gain momentum in China.
The film follows a generation of migrants from Chaoshan, a region in eastern Guangdong comprising Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang and known for its large overseas Chinese community. Set between the 1940s and 1970s, the story traces their struggle to survive in Thailand while remaining emotionally tied to their hometowns. It unfolds through qiaopi (侨批), historical letters and remittance documents sent home by overseas Chinese, and centers in part on the cross-border bond and mutual support between two women.
"We have received a lot of feedback from audiences in Thailand saying that they want to see this film in Thailand," said Jirasin Jarupornchai, a buyer from Thai film distribution company SHINESAENG AD., who attended the Cannes screening.
At a screening event in Guangzhou on May 14, director Lan Hongchun said the film is pushing ahead with overseas distribution, with talks underway with international distributors to bring it to more countries.
Shot in the Chaoshan region of Guangdong and in Thailand, "Dear You" features a predominantly Chaoshan cast and crew, with dialogue performed almost entirely in the Chaoshan dialect, a rarity in China's film industry.
Released in China on April 30, the film has topped the country's daily box office chart since May 10, according to ticketing platform Maoyan. Its total box office revenue surpassed 400 million yuan on May 16, despite a reported production budget of only 14 million yuan.
The film has also earned strong word of mouth online, scoring 9.1 out of 10 on Chinese review platform Douban, where films often face particularly demanding audiences.
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Photo | Damai Entertainment
