Singapore approves 50 more Teochew screenings of Dear You amid strong public demand

SINGAPORE: Authorities have approved an additional 50 screenings of the Teochew-language film Dear You, responding to strong public demand and growing interest in dialect content among local audiences.

In a joint media reply on Thursday, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said they recognised the “strong interest” generated by the film, noting that both its Teochew and Mandarin screenings had attracted wide audiences.

The latest approval expands access to the film's original dialect version and adds to the 22 Teochew screenings that had already received approval.

Distributor Clover Films is currently working out screening arrangements and will announce further details separately.

Additional screenings approved

Of the 22 Teochew screenings approved earlier, 18 were granted to Clover Films, while another four were approved under a separate application by SPH Media Limited.

The latest decision follows public discussion over access to dialect-language films in Singapore.

Dear You has emerged as a focal point in broader conversations about language policy, cultural heritage and identity.

The film opened in Singapore cinemas on 18 June after achieving major commercial success in China.

However, only a Mandarin-dubbed version was initially approved for commercial cinema release.

The original Teochew-language version was restricted to special niche screenings, prompting calls from some members of the public for wider access to dialect-language films on the big screen.

More flexible approach to dialect films

Earlier this week, MDDI said it remained open to facilitating and supporting additional Teochew-language screenings if the distributor submitted further applications.

The ministry also indicated that it would adopt a more “flexible approach” when assessing future applications to screen dialect-language films in cinemas.

Reiterating their position on Thursday, IMDA and MDDI said Mandarin continues to play an important unifying role among Chinese Singaporeans, while dialects remain “a valued part of Singapore’s cultural heritage and identity”.

“We are encouraged by the growing interest in dialects, including among younger Singaporeans and hope that these additional Teochew screenings enable more audiences to enjoy the film,” the authorities said.

Film draws audiences across generations

Directed and co-written by Lan Hongchun, Dear You tells a story spanning two interconnected timelines.

One storyline follows a grandson searching for his long-lost grandfather in present-day Thailand. The other centres on a newly married man who leaves China for Southeast Asia during the 1940s in search of work.

The film has resonated strongly with audiences and has become one of China's biggest box-office successes this year. It has grossed more than 1.7 billion yuan (US$250 million), helping fuel international interest ahead of its release in other markets, including Singapore.

The expanded approval for Teochew screenings is expected to give more audiences an opportunity to experience the film in its original dialect as interest in dialect-language content continues to grow.