Director Lan Hongchun took the stage at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival to discuss how “Dear You,” now one of China’s most-talked-about films of the year, drew its emotional charge from qiaopi – the tradition of family letters and remittances exchanged between overseas Chinese communities and their relatives at home.

The film has earned more than $255 million at the Chinese box office since opening in May, and carries a 9.3 rating on Douban. Lan spoke during the “Cultural Roots, Localized Narratives, and Emotional Resonance in Contemporary Chinese Cinema” forum at the festival.

Set within the world of qiaopi correspondence, “Dear You” traces themes of waiting, distance, and enduring affection across generations. Lan said the film’s connection with audiences ran deeper than its plot.

“What moved audiences was not only the story itself, but also the cultural memory carried by qiaopi and by generations of ordinary people,” he said.

Lan traced his instinct toward stories rooted in place and personal memory to his admiration for Taiwan filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien. “His films made me feel that stories from our own land, our own people and our own memories can also become cinema,” he said.

Reflecting on his broader filmmaking practice, Lan said each production had sharpened his understanding of the form. “Each film should show some progress,” he said. “For me, the important thing is to keep learning and keep getting closer to people and the emotions I want to portray.”

The director also acknowledged the support of Damai Entertainment, whose backing he credited with helping the film reach wider audiences following its word-of-mouth success. Xie Ying, vice president of Damai Entertainment, noted the company’s relationship with Lan predated the film’s release. “We first met Lan about five years ago,” Xie said. “That relationship and trust have continued until today.”