SIFFORUM | “Dear You” Director Credits Qiaopi Heritage for Git Movie’s Emotional Impact

Chinese box office sleeper hit Dear You has grossed more than 1.7 billion yuan (about US$235 million) since debuting in May, while its rating on Douban, China's version of IMDb, has climbed to 9.3, becoming one of the most talked-about Chinese films of the year.

Director Lan Hongchun has shared details of the creative journey behind the film and its emotional connection with audiences during the "Cultural Roots, Localized Narratives, and Emotional Resonance in Contemporary Chinese Cinema" forum at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Lan said his original impulse to make films was closely related to his admiration for Taiwan filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien.

"I have always liked Hou Hsiao-hsien very much," Lan said. "His films made me feel that stories from our own land, our own people and our own memories can also become cinema."

Set against the backdrop of qiaopi culture, the historic practice of family letters and remittances sent by overseas Chinese back to their families, Dear You tells a story of waiting, affection, and emotional bonds across distances. 

Lan said the film's warm reception could not be separated from the deep cultural support behind it. "What moved audiences was not only the story itself, but also the cultural memory carried by qiaopi and by generations of ordinary people," he said.

Reflecting on his own filmmaking path, Lan said every production had helped him understand cinema more deeply.

"Each film should show some progress," he said. "For me, the important thing is to keep learning and keep getting closer to people and the emotions I want to portray."

Lan also paid tribute to his collaboration with Damai Entertainment, saying that the company's support helped the film reach wider audiences after its word-of-mouth success.

Xie Ying, vice president of Damai Entertainment, also recalled the company's long-term connection with Lan and the film. "We first met Lan about five years ago," Xie said. "That relationship and trust have continued until today."