Full Breakdown
Dear You Gets Additional Teochew Screenings in Singapore Amid Bilingual Policy Debate
6/20/2026, 12:09:57 PM
Expanded Teochew Screenings at Golden Village
Golden Village (GV) announced eight extra showings of the Chinese film *Dear You* in its original Teochew dialect from 25 – 29 June at GV Max, GV VivoCity. Tickets cost $18.50 for the public and $16.50 for GV movie-club members and went on sale at 3 pm on 22 June. The added sessions follow the sell-out of the first eight Teochew screenings, which sold 4,800 tickets within two hours of release on 16 June.
Policy Background and Bilingual Context
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) administers a bilingual policy that promotes Mandarin as the primary language among Chinese Singaporeans. Under the current approach, full-dialect films may be shown at festivals, premieres, or niche events, while general releases are expected to use Mandarin dubbing. IMDA has said the policy “continues to support the bilingual policy which aims to promote Mandarin as the main language among Chinese Singaporeans.”
Key Stakeholders
- Golden Village (GV) – cinema operator coordinating the additional screenings.
- Clover Films – co-distributor; managing director Lim Teck.
- IMDA – regulatory authority overseeing language policy.
- Filmmakers – Eric Khoo, Jack Neo, Boo Junfeng, Kelvin Sng, Huang Junxiang, Royston Tan, Colin Goh, among others, have publicly commented on the issue.
Audience Demand and Box-Office Performance
*Dear You* has become one of China’s biggest box-office successes of the year, grossing more than 1.7 billion yuan (approximately S$322 million). The rapid sell-out of the initial Teochew sessions demonstrates strong local interest in viewing the film in its original dialect.
Official Statements & Responses
- IMDA spokesperson reiterated that allowing dialect screenings at festivals and niche events aligns with the current approach to support the bilingual policy.
- GV spokesperson said the chain “quickly worked” with Clover Films to request additional Teochew sessions after the initial sell-out.
- Lim Teck (Clover Films) highlighted the “overwhelming audience response” and noted that the extra sessions “help preserve and celebrate an important part of our cultural identity.”
Criticism & Opposition from Filmmakers
Filmmakers argue that restricting dialect films to limited venues undermines cultural authenticity. Eric Khoo and Jack Neo contend that “dialect films are not an issue on home videos and streaming platforms… why should cinemas bear the brunt of this outdated policy?” Boo Junfeng warned that dubbing “diminishes the authenticity of the film” and that “being able to watch films in their original Chinese dialects is not going to erode our ability to be bilingual.” Kelvin Sng emphasized that language “carries culture, emotion, rhythm and identity,” while Huang Junxiang described dubbing as removing “the nuances of the actor’s performances.” Colin Goh urged audiences to “try to watch it in Teochew, not the ridiculous Mandarin dub.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are grateful to IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority) for its support in allowing additional Teochew language screenings of Dear You in Singapore,” — Lim Teck, Managing Director, Clover Films
- “Dialect films are not an issue on home videos and streaming platforms and even on board airplanes, so why should cinemas continue to bear the brunt of this outdated policy ?” — Eric Khoo, Filmmaker (letter with Jack Neo)
- “The 38-year-old said: “A dub removes the nuances of the actor’s performances and the context of many Nanyang immigrants during the era .” — Huang Junxiang, Producer
- “Being able to watch films in their original Chinese dialects is not going to erode our ability to be bilingual, ” he added.” — Boo Junfeng, Filmmaker
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
IMDA states that full-dialect films may be screened at festivals and niche events, yet it has not clarified whether additional commercial screenings beyond the current eight are permissible under the policy. The criteria for granting such exemptions remain unspecified, leaving uncertainty for future dialect releases.
What’s Next
The eight added Teochew showings run from 25 – 29 June at GV Max. Filmmakers and cultural groups continue to lobby for broader access to dialect films, and IMDA’s forthcoming guidance on screening criteria will shape subsequent releases.
