China's highly acclaimed film "Dear You" is set for its first overseas screenings on June 18 in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macao SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Starring a relatively unknown cast, the film revolves around the tradition of qiaopi — letters and remittances sent home by overseas Chinese in the 19th and 20th centuries. This deeply rooted custom serves as the emotional backbone connecting the film's main characters.
Jack Neo, one of Singapore's most influential filmmakers, has high hopes for the film's debut in Singapore. Known for box-office hits including "Long Long Time Ago", "I Not Stupid" and "Money No Enough", Neo is celebrated for his grounded and heartfelt storytelling. In 2025, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Singapore Film Society, honoring five decades of contributions to the country's cinema.
In late May, Neo attended the Singapore Film Screening at the 2026 Guangdong Art Film Exhibition and took the opportunity to watch "Dear You" in Guangzhou. He said he was deeply moved by the cross-border family bonds and longing for home embodied in qiaopi.
"This is a highly nostalgic film. The art direction and set design are incredibly authentic and visually stunning, built on extensive historical research," Neo commented. He added that what resonates with him most is the lifelong love commitment depicted in the storyline. "It pays tribute to a magnificent love, a lifelong promise between two people that never wavers till the very end."
Neo also spoke highly of the film's intricate narrative structure. "I particularly like the film's narrative style with its slow, deliberate pacing that gradually draws the audience in. The brilliance of the story lies in its many subtle narrative misdirections followed by a twist."
As of June 16, "Dear You" has grossed over 1.7 billion yuan at the Chinese box office. A second wave of overseas screenings is set to follow: the film will open in Australia and New Zealand on June 25, and in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Japan on June 26.
Reporter | Zhou Hongdou, Jin Zhehua
Video | Guo Haoqi, Zhang Qida
Proofreading | Lai Yuqing
Editor | Yin Juewen