By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 11: The Chinese film “Dear You” serves as a heartfelt reminder for people to honour their roots, cherish their heritage, appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before them, and pass on timeless values to future generations, said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok.
Sim, a fourth-generation Teochew born and raised in Kuching, said the film was an exceptional and beautifully crafted cinematic work that touched audiences across generations through its warmth, authenticity and deeply emotional storytelling.
Expressing his appreciation to the producers, directors and cast of “Dear You”, he said the film had moved many viewers, including himself, to tears as its story unfolded.
“Although I am several generations removed from the migration journey of my forefathers, I vividly remember listening to my grandmother and my parents recount stories of our ancestors who left the Chaoshan region of China in search of a better life.
“Stories of separation, hardship, sacrifice and unwavering hope formed an important part of our family heritage. Watching Dear You brought those memories vividly to life and reminded me of the extraordinary courage and resilience that defined the early Teochew pioneers,” he said in a statement today.
Sim said Sarawak was proudly his home and that he considered himself first and foremost a Sarawakian, while remaining immensely proud of his Teochew heritage.
He said the values carried by the early migrants, including perseverance, filial piety, integrity and industriousness, continued to shape families today.
“The film also reminded me of an era that today’s younger generation will never truly experience, especially when families depended on handwritten letters to stay connected across oceans,” he said.
He noted that before the arrival of telephones, instant messaging and the internet, every letter carried hopes, dreams and news from home, while replies often required months of patient waiting.
“The uncertainty, anticipation and joy of finally receiving a letter taught people patience, resilience, gratitude and faith. Those experiences helped build strong character and a deep appreciation for family relationships in ways that modern technology, despite its convenience, can never fully replace,” he added.
Sim said “Dear You” had also educated many people about the history of overseas Chinese migration and the remarkable legacy left behind by those who endured immense hardships for the sake of future generations.
“Their sacrifices enabled their descendants to enjoy peace, education and opportunities that they themselves could scarcely have imagined,” he said.
Reflecting on his own family’s migration history, Sim said he was deeply grateful that his ancestors chose to build a new life in Sarawak.
He said their decision allowed later generations to grow up in a peaceful and multicultural society, away from many tragic chapters of China’s modern history, including the warlord era, Japanese invasion, civil war, Cultural Revolution and the one-child policy.
“Instead, we were blessed to grow up in a society where different communities have lived together in mutual respect and harmony,” he said.
Sim added that migration remained a continuing part of the human story, with many young Sarawakians today leaving home to pursue higher education, careers and better opportunities around the world.
“While destinations may have changed, the emotions remain the same—homesickness, sacrifice, hope and an enduring love for family,” he said.
He described “Dear You” as more than a film about the Teochew community, saying it was a universal story of migration, resilience and the enduring human spirit.
“Dear You is a film that every Sarawakian, regardless of race or background, should watch and treasure,” he added. — DayakDaily
