This year, Dear You, a film spoken entirely in Teochew, has touched many viewers and broken box office records for Chinese-language films across countries and regions. In the movie, mountains and seas separate two families, but love and faithfulness unite them. Its most-quoted line, "Live with heart and honor", emphasizes the importance of loyalty and friendship.
The story is mainly adapted from true stories of overseas Chinese originating from the Chaoshan region, which comprises the cities of Chaozhou, Jieyang, and Shantou. It is the second-largest metropolitan area in Guangdong, after the Pearl River Delta.
Recently, a group of young tourists from Hong Kong and Macao visited the filming locations in Shantou, Qifeng Chen Ancestral Hall (起凤陈公祠) and Zhangcuonei Old Mansion (张厝内). The two buildings are residences of Grandma Xie Nanzhi and Ye Shurou in the film, featuring both Chinese and Western architectural styles.
Inside the Qifeng Chen Ancestral Hall, visitors learn about the Chen family mottos that teach endurance, tolerance and hard work. Above them, gold-painted wood carvings showcase another distinctive feature of Chaoshan architecture. These mottos reflect the wisdom passed down through generations of overseas Chinese, and their lessons remain valuable for young people today.
"Being here made me think of the film again. Family culture and traditional values are taken very seriously. Neighbors and fellow villagers are also very united," shared Tan Jieni, a student in the film and television production program and one of the group members who had never been to Chaoshan before.
The movie's touching stories and authentic filming locations are attracting more audiences, such as Tan Jieni, to the Chaoshan region, boosting the growing trend of screen tourism. These tours further convey the region’s history and culture beyond the screen. Films are being transformed from mere stories into lasting memories.
Reporter | Zhou Jiyin, Ding Hefei, Wang Yaxin
Video | Luo Yuan, Zhang Qida
Editor | Yin Juewen
Proofreader | Chen Xuede