Letters sent across seas; hearts united across cultures

Chinese hit film Dear You made its North American premiere on Sunday in New York, where its portrayal of family, memory and human connection resonated with audiences across languages and cultures.

The film closed the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, with director Lan Hongchun, producer Zheng Xuanxuan and actress Li Sitong attending the premiere. It is scheduled to hit theaters in September.

Centered on qiaopi — overseas Chinese letters that carried remittances — the film weaves together the Chaoshan region in South China's Guangdong province and Thailand, tracing decades of separation, sacrifice and enduring family ties.

The film is set against the backdrop of the large-scale Chinese migration to Southeast Asia. According to incomplete estimates, nearly 10 million Chinese left for the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with many immigrants from Guangdong seeking work in countries including Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

The story follows a young man from Chaoshan who travels to Thailand in search of his grandfather, only to discover that he had already died and the money supporting his grandmother for decades had been sent by another woman.

Filmed primarily in the Teochew dialect, Dear You preserves the region's linguistic and cultural heritage while exploring emotions that resonate across cultures.

New York, shaped by generations of immigrants, echoes the migration stories portrayed in the film. Director Lan, who conducted documentary research in the city, said it felt familiar to him.

"I believe Chinese audiences may feel as if they have received a package from their hometown," Lan said. "It is like tasting a familiar dish they haven't had for years and suddenly rediscovering the authentic flavors of home."

For audiences less familiar with Chinese traditions, Lan said he hoped the film could offer warmth through a story of kindness and human connection.

"Although the story is rooted in a specific culture, it is ultimately about the goodwill between people," he said. "I believe audiences from different backgrounds can feel that sincerity and warmth."

Lead actress Li said the film's emotional power goes beyond language.

"I believe emotions can cross languages, regardless of which dialect is spoken," she said. "During our screenings and road shows, many local viewers told us they felt the same sense of connection. I think emotions have the power to touch people's hearts."

Zheng, the producer, said the film uses a regional story to explore universal themes.

"The emotions shaped by a particular place are unique, but homesickness, waiting, family ties and friendship are experiences shared by everyone," she said. "What we are really portraying is the bonds and companionship between ordinary people."

For its North American release, the production team prepared Chinese and English subtitles but chose not to translate the songs, hoping audiences could experience the emotions behind the original language.

Lan said that ultimately, a story's power lies not in where it comes from, but in how truthfully it portrays human life.

"Whether it is set in Chaoshan or anywhere else in the world, if you truthfully portray a person's life and emotions, language and cultural background will not limit its reach," he said. "Instead, focusing deeply on individual human experiences is what allows a story to resonate around the world."

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com