BANGKOK, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Acclaimed Chinese film "Dear You" made its Thailand preview screening here on Tuesday evening, bringing an exploration of heartwarming diaspora narratives to Southeast Asian audiences following its theatrical success in China.
In her welcoming remarks, Thai Minister of Culture Sabeeda Thaised praised the film as a vital cultural medium for conveying filial piety and celebrating the enduring ties with China.
Sabeeda highlighted that Thailand-China relations extend far beyond diplomacy into daily traditions, family devotion, and shared values, built on 50 years of formal bilateral relations.
While the story of long-lost letters originates in China, its themes of nostalgia and generational sacrifice hold personal resonance for Thailand's vast Tio Chew-heritage population, she noted.
The minister also emphasized the importance of cinema as a vehicle for international goodwill, reaffirming the Thai government's commitment to film as a cultural asset capable of driving social and economic value while deepening artistic collaboration between both countries.
The movie, known in Chinese as "Love Letters to Grandma," centers on remittance letters that overseas Chinese use to stay connected with their families back home. These letters catalyze the discovery of memories, love, and interconnected family bonds through a simple yet deeply genuine narrative.
"This film is an authentic mirror of our ancestors' struggles and a testament to the longstanding bond between Thailand and China," said San Chuapanyavit, vice president of the Tio Chew Association of Thailand, who makes a brief appearance in Dear You.
As a third-generation Thai-Chinese, San told Xinhua that this story brought back vivid memories of his father sending "Qiao Pi" -- remittance letters -- in Bangkok's Chinatown.
"I was glued to the screen without blinking. Despite considering myself a tough person, tears came to my eyes because the story touches the very soul of the overseas Chinese diaspora," he said.
Stressing the significance of the film's linguistic heritage, he noted that watching it in the original Tio Chew soundtrack carries a depth of emotion and cultural nuance that subtitles alone cannot convey.
"It honors the legacy of generations who crossed oceans under severe hardship to establish deep roots in Thailand, contributing immensely to Thai society while keeping their familial ties alive across generations," he added.
The film is set for a nationwide cinema release on Aug. 6, offering screenings in the original Tio Chew dialect with Thai, Chinese, and English subtitles, alongside a Thai-dubbed version. ■
