BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The highly anticipated Chinese movie "Dear You" was officially released in cinemas across Thailand on Thursday, bringing a deeply resonant story of the Chinese diaspora to one of its most historically significant settings.
Powered by word-of-mouth, the regional-dialect film starring a cast of non-professional actors has become China's latest box office sensation, grossing over 2 billion yuan (about 295 million U.S. dollars) following its mainland debut in April.
The emotionally charged narrative, which explores the deep connections between overseas Chinese who relocated to Thailand and their relatives back in China, has struck a profound chord with audiences by beautifully portraying a story of historical migration and family ties.
The story centers on the tradition of "qiaopi" -- remittance letters sent by early migrants to their hometowns to support their families. These letters serve as a medium connecting people across two lands, carrying a strong yearning and immense hope of providing families with a better life.
The nationwide rollout follows a star-studded premiere earlier this week in Bangkok, marking the movie's unexpected journey from a low-budget regional production shot entirely in the Teochew dialect to a cultural phenomenon.
During the red-carpet premiere, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei said the film reflects values of trust, family bonds, and cultural heritage and illustrates the close people-to-people links that have helped shape relations between China and Thailand.
Referring to the long history of Chinese migration to Thailand, Zhang noted that generations of migrants had settled in the country, integrated into local society, and contributed to the development of friendly exchanges between the two nations.
Those interactions, the ambassador said, helped foster the notion that "China and Thailand are one family."
In an exclusive group interview, Lan Hongchun, director of the film, said the narrative of "Dear You" draws heavily on the historical use of letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese.
Lan noted that because many of the workers and their families were illiterate, they relied on third-party letter writers, creating an environment ripe for miscommunication.
"A letter going home had to pass through several hands, making the information very prone to misunderstandings and gaps," he said, highlighting how this historical reality fueled the film's central conflict.
Setting the film in "Siam" -- the historical name for Thailand -- was a deliberate choice to tap into the collective memory of the Teochew diaspora, Lan explained.
"In our Chaoshan region, people frequently say 'Siam, Siam.' Grandpas and grandmas would say 'going to Siam'," Lan said. "The symbol of 'Siam' represents not just Thailand but the entire collective memory of all Chaoshan people migrating to Southeast Asia."
"Bangkok's Chinatown is the place that most closely matches everyone's imagination," he added.
However, only a select few scenes were actually shot on location in Thailand, while the bulk of the production relied on the striking architectural similarities found in southern China's Guangdong Province.
"We were quite lucky because in our hometown of Chaoshan, there are actually some ancient towns that look very much like Southeast Asian Chinatowns," Lan said.
By dressing local streets with custom shop signs, he said the production team successfully replicated the bustling atmosphere of Bangkok's historic districts.
Recent preview screenings of the film have resonated with Thai audiences. Viewers from various professional backgrounds attended, expressing strong emotional connection with the themes of family devotion, historical struggle, and the enduring cultural ties between China and Thailand.
For Tuenjai Techaratanaprasert, vice-president of Sahamongkol Film International, a Thai distribution partner of "Dear You," the movie served as a powerful reminder of her family's history.
Tracing her roots back to Hainanese grandparents who migrated from China, Tuenjai found the traditions and familial sacrifices depicted on screen to be intensely personal.
"Our traditions are very similar," she shared. "The story is incredibly touching, which shows how much they loved and connected with each other."
While she relied primarily on subtitles to understand the Teochew dialogue, she described the delivery and the spoken language as beautiful and emotionally striking.
Highlighting the film's potential to educate younger demographics about their heritage and the sacrifices of their ancestors, Tuenjai strongly advocated for co-viewing across generations, encouraging parents to bring their children and grandchildren to theaters.
She noted that the film serves as a vital cultural touchstone for helping modern youth understand the customs of the past and the profound, enduring love of their elders.
Saowanee Suwannacheep, former president of the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, said the film wonderfully captures the essence of familial loyalty and the historical resilience of the Chinese diaspora.
"I was deeply impressed by the love within the family and the life struggles of the Chinese people during that era," Saowanee said.
She emphasized that the film's true value is its portrayal of deep emotional attachments that endure over time, adding that it reflects the close relationship between the two nations.
"We have been siblings for a long time," she added. "We are not distant at all, and it is as if we share the same bloodline." ■