Chinese Media Defends 'Dear You' Amid Influence Accusations
Quick Look
- Chinese state media and influencers are defending the indie film 'Dear You' against accusations it's a tool for Beijing's influence over the diaspora, ahead of its release in Southeast Asia.
- The Teochew-language film explores Chinese migration and heritage.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Chinese state media and influencers are responding to criticism of the indie film 'Dear You,' which has been called a tool for Beijing's influence over the Chinese diaspora.
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.
Open Questions
- What will be the impact of the film's release in Southeast Asia?
- Will further criticism emerge regarding the film's content?
