Key facts
- The indie film "Dear You" has achieved significant popularity in China.
- The movie explores themes of Chinese migration and the preservation of heritage.
- It depicts an elderly schoolmaster risking arrest in 1950s Bangkok to teach Chinese language to diaspora children.
- The film has grossed over 1.6 billion yuan (US$236 million) in China since its April 30 release.
- The film has prompted discussions in Southeast Asia about China's soft power and influence.
The Chinese indie film "Dear You" has rapidly become a major box office success in China, drawing audiences with its narrative about family history and Chinese migration to Southeast Asia. Shot in the Teochew language, the movie traces a man's journey to uncover his grandfather's past through remittance letters sent from Thailand, highlighting the diaspora's efforts to maintain their cultural heritage. A notable scene depicts a teacher in 1950s Bangkok risking arrest to secretly teach Chinese language to local children.