Chinese film 'Dear You' breaks box office records and secures UK, Ireland, France distribution

The low‑budget Chaoshan‑dialect indie "Dear You" has become one of China's biggest domestic hits of the year, grossing over 1.6 billion yuan (about $245 million) on a 14 million‑yuan budget and earning a 9.2 rating on Douban. The story follows a debt‑burdened grandson who travels to Bangkok seeking his long‑absent grandfather, only to uncover a family history of sacrifice through decades‑old letters.

Trinity CineAsia has acquired the film’s distribution rights for the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. It will open in UK and Irish cinemas on 26 June, with a French release date yet to be announced. The film’s modest cast and authentic storytelling have attracted international interest, highlighting the growing appeal of regional Chinese cinema.

The success has also spurred a tourism boom in Jieyang, Guangdong, one of the film’s shooting locations, and showcases the commercial potential of culturally specific stories in both domestic and overseas markets.