How a Small Chinese Drama Became a $300 Million Phenomenon

Director Lan Hongchun’s plan was to make a small drama about the Chinese diaspora, then hope the audiences would connect with its tale of family, of love and loss.

Lan’s Dear You has this year been an unprecedented success in China and beyond. Made for around $2 million, the film has grossed around $300 million across its run on the Chinese mainland and then found impressive numbers as it rolled out across Asia — including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Related Stories Movies 'Woman Unknown' Wins Golden Lion in Venice: Full Winners List Movies TIFF Flashback: Michelle Yeoh Took a Dramatic Turn With 'The Lady'

Audiences everywhere warmed to its tale of romance and sacrifice and have connected with the fact that is centered around families separated because of fate.

“Seeing such enthusiastic responses is deeply moving,” says the director. “To genuinely see that a story we carefully crafted has truly touched countless hearts and brought to light the family memories hidden within so many people — it makes all the creative effort worthwhile.”

Dear You comes to Toronto this week as part of the China Film Showcase of six features after being released across North America on September 4. The slate at TIFF will be screening from September 14-16 at the TIFF Lightbox, under the guidance of China Film Administration and being hosted by the China Film Co-production Corporation. It reflects a growing diversity in content emerging from China that industry watchers have tagged as a direct response to an audience that’s increasingly looking to be entertained by more than simply the blockbusters that first drove the market as it emerged as a global force around 15 years ago.