Chinese films reach new audiences worldwide

China's film industry is entering a new era of global reach, with an increasing number of productions ranging from commercial blockbusters to indie arthouse titles crossing borders and gaining worldwide recognition.

This week, regional-dialect film "Dear You" officially hit big screens in Thailand and Indonesia. Directed by Lan Hongchun, a Chaoshan-region filmmaker from southern China's Guangdong Province, the movie touched audiences with its sincere, heartfelt storyline.

"I feel very touched. I feel very proud. I feel very proud of my grandparents. My grandparents are from Fujian," said Vincent, an Indonesian-Chinese viewer.

The film centers on "qiaopi", a unique form of correspondence that combined letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Set against the distinct backdrop of Teochew Chinese culture, the narrative highlights the historic diaspora experience, capturing universal themes of displacement, nostalgia, and memories passed down through generations.

The story reached audiences in Indonesia with the help of local film distribution company PT. Prima Cinema Multimedia.

"PT. Prima decided to introduce 'Dear You' to Indonesia because we saw its huge market potential in China and several Asian markets. So when we saw the movie, we felt that it could have a positive impact," said Sasha, marketing manager of the company.

According to statistics from the National Film Administration, as of July 25, the overseas box office of the low-budget film has exceeded 80 million yuan (about 11.8 million U.S. dollars).

The global popularity of "Dear You" is not an isolated case. Chinese films have seen accelerated global expansion this year.

A Chinese animated film "All Wishes Come True," inspired by the legend of the Eight Immortals, will arrive in cinemas in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on August 13. It will then open in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands the following day.

Industry experts noted that beyond traditional overseas markets such as North America, Chinese films have expanded into emerging markets in Africa and Eastern Europe in the first half of this year.

"In the first half of 2026, more than 20 Chinese films have been released overseas, representing growth compared to 2025. Films like 'Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert,' and 'Silent Awakening' debuted in over 200 theaters in North America, representing a remarkably high scale for individual Chinese film overseas releases," said Weng Yang, an associate professor at Beijing Film Academy.

Chinese films have also undergone a systematic upgrade in their overseas outreach pathways since the beginning of this year, with Chinese film and television institutions beginning to establish independent overseas distribution channels and networks.

"IP operation is no longer limited to one-time copyright sales of individual works. Instead, most new productions are planned with a global vision from the initial creative stage. This model greatly boosts the development of serial film works and realizes the sustainable release of long-term value," explained Huai Wei, Deputy Manager of China Film Co-production Corporation.

Chinese films reach new audiences worldwide

Iran's Foreign Minister on Sunday rejected the notion that his country is in direct negotiations with the United States, declaring that any formal talks remain impossible until the U.S. stops violating the terms of the interim peace deal signed in June.

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump claiming the U.S. is "semi-negotiating" with Iran, the latter refuses to publicly acknowledge that any talks are taking place.

Trump said that he is prepared to put more economic pressure on Iran, as opposed to ordering a new military offensive. The U.S. has said its recent strikes were aimed at stopping Iran from attacking vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping passageway which has become a focal point for resolving the conflict.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi once again stressed that no formal talks are taking place between the two sides.

"Negotiation has its own definition. Negotiation takes place on a specific issue in order to reach a conclusion. At the moment, we have no negotiations with the United States. Yes, there is an exchange of messages through intermediaries, but it is not called negotiation -- it is called message exchange. Intermediaries are still trying to create the grounds for negotiations. From our perspective, until the violations of the memorandum of understanding are resolved, and until the violations committed by the United States come to an end, it is not possible to start negotiations," he said.

Arangchi's remarks underscore Iran's hardened stance as it continues to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel first launched strikes on Tehran at the end of February.

Iran has reiterated that reopening the crucial waterway is contingent on the U.S. agreeing to a sweeping set of conditions, including paying war damages, unfreezing Iranian assets, and ending all aggression against Iran and its allies in the region.

The foreign minister did confirm Iran is nearing an agreement with Oman on demarcating new shipping lanes in the strait, though the Iranian side remains adamant the waterway will not reopen until the U.S. "corrects its behavior."

According to U.S. officials who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has been preparing to claim victory in the conflict if the strait reopens, and is even privately mulling over the idea of walking away without a nuclear deal. But as Iran doubles down on its demands, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Trump to declare victory.

Iran denies direct negotiations with US, demands its conditions be met to reopen Strait of Hormuz