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HKCulture3 days ago

Is hit indie film Dear You propaganda? Don’t be disrespectful, Chinese media says

Chinese state media and influencers have responded to criticisms that the popular indie film 'Dear You' serves as propaganda to increase Beijing's influence over the Chinese diaspora. The film, set in the Teochew dialect, follows a young man exploring his family's history through letters from Thailand, highlighting themes of Chinese migration and cultural preservation. The film has been successful in China, grossing over 1.7 billion yuan since its release.

Chinese state media and influencers have pushed back on criticism of hit indie movie Dear You , which has been described as a tool to expand Beijing’s influence over the Chinese diaspora.

The Chinese media’s counterpunch this week came in the countdown to the movie’s release in Singapore and other Southeast Asian markets on Thursday.

The film, which is in the Teochew dialect of Chinese, depicts a young man uncovering his family’s past by tracing remittance letters sent home from Thailand. It explores Chinese migration to Southeast Asia and the diaspora’s struggle to preserve its heritage.

The movie has been a hit in China, earning over 1.7 billion yuan (US$252 million) since its release on April 30.

Sim Tze Wei, correspondent for Singapore’s most widely read Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, called the film a masterclass in “non-coercive” united front propaganda aimed at evoking a sense of closeness to China.

Read the full article at South China Morning Post →
Source document: Lianhe Zaobao

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South China Morning PostParty-alignedCenter3 days ago
Is hit indie film Dear You propaganda? Don’t be disrespectful, Chinese media says

Chinese state media and influencers have responded to criticisms that the popular indie film 'Dear You' serves as propaganda to increase Beijing's influence over the Chinese diaspora. The film, set in the Teochew dialect, follows a young man exploring his family's history through letters from Thailand, highlighting themes of Chinese migration and cultural preservation. The film has been successful in China, grossing over 1.7 billion yuan since its release.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives—criticisms of the film as propaganda and the Chinese media's rebuttal—without overtly favoring one side. It includes quotes from a journalist who describes the film as propaganda but does not endorse that view. The framing remains balanced, avoiding loaded or倾向

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