Director Lan Hongchun’s film “Dear You” has achieved significant commercial success following its release earlier this year. The production, made with a budget of approximately $2 million, has earned roughly $300 million across theatrical releases in mainland China and subsequent rollouts throughout Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. The film’s narrative centers on themes of romance, sacrifice, and families separated by circumstance, with particular focus on the historical phenomenon of qiaopi—letters and money sent home by overseas Chinese—and the experiences of migration to Southeast Asia.
The film comes to Toronto this week as part of the China Film Showcase, a six-feature slate screening from September 14-16 at the TIFF Lightbox. The showcase is being organized under the guidance of the China Film Administration and hosted by the China Film Co-production Corporation. The program reflects broader industry trends showing increased diversity in Chinese cinema, with audiences gravitating toward varied content beyond large-scale blockbuster productions. Other films in the showcase include “The Lychee Road,” a comedy-drama set in the Tang Dynasty, and “Big World,” a coming-of-age drama featuring former pop idol Jackson Yee in a dramatic role.
Lan attributes the success of smaller-budget films partly to internet recommendation algorithms that allow niche stories to reach specific audiences more effectively. The film’s resonance appears particularly strong within China’s Teochew community and among overseas Chinese viewers, with many reporting emotional connections to their own family histories. “Dear You” has also contributed to tourism in the Chaoshan region where it is set, with increased visitor numbers and reports of overseas Chinese descendants returning to trace their family roots.
The film’s performance arrives amid cautiously optimistic signals from the Chinese film industry. While year-to-date box office figures show decline compared to the previous year, summer revenue demonstrated marginal growth compared to 2025, with admissions also increasing. Before arriving at TIFF, “Dear You” closed the New York Asian Film Festival to positive reception.
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