豆瓣9.0分的“情书”究竟藏着什么秘密？
Recently, a low-budget movie from Shenzhen became a big hit. It is called Dear You, and it tells a touching story about qiaopi — letters and money that overseas Chinese sent back home.
The movie centers on Grandma Ye Shurou, who spent many years waiting for her husband, Zheng Musheng. Her grandson wants to find out the truth about their family’s past. As he searches, he learns about Xie Nanzhi, a Thai woman of Chaoshan origin. Xie was like a sister to Zheng. After Zheng passed away, Xie secretly took care of Grandma Ye for eighteen years until 1978. She wrote letters and sent money in Zheng’s name, so that Grandma Ye would not lose hope. Grandma Ye knew nothing about it. In 1978, she received an overseas letter. Only a photo of Zheng Musheng, Xie Nanzhi and some children, with no words at all.Thinking her husband had started a new family in Southeast Asia, Grandma Ye was heartbroken. She moved away soon after and cut off all contact with him.Many years later, Xie’s adopted son brought the hidden story to light.
The film received a score of 9.0 out of 10 on Douban, a popular review platform — the highest among all new films during the May Day holiday. It quickly earned about 227 million yuan. Directed by Lan Hongchun, who comes from the Chaoshan region, the movie is filled with local customs and uses the real Chaoshan dialect. It shows family love and the lives of overseas Chinese in a simple, true-to-life way.