A low-budget independent drama told in the Teochew dialect is making its way to North American cinemas on 4 September. Directed and co-written by Lan Hongchun, Dear You tracks a young man burdened by financial trouble who journeys from eastern Guangdong province to Thailand. He hopes to track down his long-lost grandfather to settle his debts, expecting to find a wealthy relative who sent remittances for decades. Instead, he uncovers the truth that his grandfather died long ago, and an unrelated benefactor sustained his family through letters and money.
Read more: Beyond ‘Dear You’: A Conversation With Qin Zhang on Migration, Memory and Her Grandmother’s Legacy
Lan developed the project after spending three years gathering personal histories from more than 120 elderly migrants and residents across the Chaoshan region. The production features non-professional performers, with finance graduate Li Sitong taking the central role alongside Wang Yantong, Wu Shaoqing, Zheng Runqi, and Wang Xiaohui.
An Unexpected Theatrical Ascent
The feature arrived in Chinese cinemas on 30 April with minimal promotion, earning 3.8 million yuan during its opening frame. Audience recommendations quickly propelled the drama to the top of the national box office charts within ten days, where it remained for nearly three weeks. The production gathered over 1.9 billion yuan, translating to nearly 300 million dollars, and earned a 9.3 rating on the review platform Douban.
Read more: ‘Dear You’ Review – A Quiet, Multi-Generational Chinese Masterpiece That Shuns Modern Clichés
“We are honoured to bring Dear You to North American audiences following its extraordinary success in China,” stated Doris Pfardrescher, president and chief executive of distributor Well Go USA. “Lan Hongchun has brought forward a moving story about family, sacrifice and the enduring power of human kindness that crosses cultures. We know audiences will connect with its emotional honesty and unforgettable performances.”
Following its UK debut through Trinity CineAsia and a North American festival screening in New York, the film begins its theatrical run across selected cities this September.
