Lan Hongchun, director of "Dear You," who won best director at this month's Shanghai Cooperation Organization International Film Festival, said the film creates a romance that audiences everywhere can understand.
"Dear You," a Teochew-dialect film centered on a family from Chaoshan, has emerged as one of China's biggest cinematic successes this year, topping Malaysia's 2026 Chinese-language film chart and Singapore's 2026 Asian film box office chart.
Chaoshan, in eastern Guangdong, is a distinctive cultural region covering Chaozhou, Shantou and Jieyang, known for Teochew cuisine, Gongfu tea, long-established traditions and as the ancestral home of many overseas Chinese.
The film portrays the struggles of earlier generations of overseas Chinese who traveled abroad, built businesses and supported their families. It highlights traditional Chinese values, including filial piety, gratitude, loyalty and family devotion.
Guangdong recently released its 2026 list of top international communication cases, which includes "Dear You."
Reporter: Dai Bosi
Video: Pan Jiajun
