Story of overseas Chinese hits big screen in Kuala Lumpur

A Chaoshan-dialect film inspired by the cultural legacy of qiaopi letters and remittances sent by overseas Chinese to their families at home got a special screening in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

The screening of Dear You at Petronas Twin Towers in the Malaysian capital attracted strong interest from local Malaysian Chinese communities.

Since its release in China on April 30, the film has earned widespread acclaim for its portrayal of family bonds, migration and cultural memory.

The film follows a young man who travels to Thailand in search of his grandfather, whom he believes to be a billionaire, only to uncover a decades-old family secret. He learns that his grandfather died years earlier and that a woman, out of gratitude for a life-saving act, spent 18 years sending money and letters home in the grandfather's name.

At the heart of the story is the tradition of qiaopi, a unique form of correspondence and remittance exchange maintained by overseas Chinese communities. Recognized by UNESCO in 2013 as part of the Memory of the World Register, qiaopi documents the emotional and economic ties that connected generations of Chinese migrants with their families back home. Director Lan Hongchun has said the film was inspired by real-life stories. Over a three-year period, the production team interviewed more than 120 elderly natives of the Chaoshan area of Guangdong province who had migrated to Southeast Asia.

Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said at the premiere that the film vividly captures the experiences of overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia and reflects the enduring bonds of kinship and shared heritage.

"Through the emotional thread of qiaopi family letters, the film tells a touching story of homesickness, resilience and belonging," Ouyang said.

"These letters served not only as channels for financial support, but also as witnesses to the longstanding friendship between the Chinese and Malaysian peoples."

Chiew Choon Man, Malaysia's deputy minister of tourism, arts and culture, who delivered remarks on behalf of Minister Tiong King Sing, said the film highlights a shared chapter of history familiar to many Malaysian Chinese families.

"More than a century ago, countless Chinese migrants crossed the seas from southern China to Southeast Asia in search of better opportunities," Chiew said.

"The letters and remittances they sent home carried not only money and information, but also responsibility, affection and a deep commitment to family."

Lim Kah Hoe, executive director and head curator of the Malaysian Chinese Museum, said the film's greatest strength lies in its authenticity.

"It presents qiaopi in the most sincere and accessible way," Lim said.

"What audiences see on screen reflects the real experiences of generations of Chinese migrants who settled in Southeast Asia."

Lim said he expected there to be strong interest in the film among Malaysian audiences, particularly among communities with ancestral roots in Chaoshan, adding that numerous clan associations had already organized group screenings.

Among audience members was Chang Swee Guan, honorary life adviser to the Malaysia Business and Culture Association, who described the film as "deeply moving".

"The story quietly finds its way into your heart," Chang said.

"The woman's unwavering commitment to repaying a debt of gratitude for 18 years reveals the best of human nature, while the grandmother's understanding and compassion demonstrate the wisdom and strength of an older generation."

Observers said the Kuala Lumpur premiere was more than a film screening. It also served as a platform for cultural exchange, highlighting the historical connections and shared memories that continue to link China and Malaysia.

"From qiaopi letters of the past to films today, what endures is the human connection," Chiew Choon Man said.

"Culture bridges not only distance, but also memory and civilization. No matter how times change, sincerity, family affection and care for one another remain universal values."