The Chinese film, which was filmed almost entirely in the Teochew dialect, has become a box office success in China, grossing over 1.7 billion yuan (S$322 million).

The Teochew-language family drama — reportedly made for about $2 million and now nearing $250 million in China — opens in U.K. and Irish cinemas on June 26, with France to follow.

CMC Pictures picks up 'Dear You,' China's word-of-mouth hit, for North America, Australia and New Zealand theaters.

Members of Malaysia's Chinese community at an exhibition for the film