HOME

This summer, Guangdong's film industry is serving up an extraordinary cinematic banquet, with locally-produced movies dominating box offices and captivating audiences nationwide. From historical epics to nostalgic comedies, these films showcase the rich cultural heritage and dynamism of southern China.  

📍 Scholars Under Fire (Premieres August 15)

This highly anticipated historical drama tells the gripping story of Lingnan University (present-day Sun Yat-sen University) scholars who preserved China's academic legacy during the Anti-Japanese War. Acclaimed filmmaker Gan Xiaoer helms this meticulously crafted film, which brings an authentic Cantonese story to life with 90% of its dialogue delivered in the local dialect. To ensure historical accuracy, the production team recreated 1940s university buildings in 1:1 scale and embarked on 11 location scouting trips across northern Guangdong to capture the region's true landscapes, immersing audiences in a faithful recreation of the era.

📍 Hey. Houlai (Premieres August 16)

Premiered on August 16, the nostalgic comedy Hey. Houlai brings back the beloved Chaoshan-dialect franchise with its original cast after a 20-year hiatus. The production marks a rare generational reunion in Chinese cinema, featuring veteran actors with an average age of 65 delivering performances entirely in Teochew dialect. Director Yang Qingxi incorporates traditional Teochew Opera elements while exploring contemporary family dynamics.  

📍 Our Home (Premieres August 22)

Our Home, directed by rising filmmaker Wu Jia, premieres on August 22, offering a nostalgic journey to late-1990s Teochew. The heartwarming story follows schoolboy Wu Kai's emotional growth through pigeon racing, beautifully framed against authentic Teochew cultural backdrops of arcaded buildings and ancestral temples. The film artfully blends local dialects and customs with universal themes of childhood and family bonds, showcasing Guangdong's rich cultural heritage through its unique pigeon-racing subculture.

These new releases join already-successful Guangdong films like the literary adaptation The Lychee Road, which has grossed 667 million yuan, and the enduring Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf animated franchise. Industry analysts note the films' success stems from their unique combination of regional authenticity and universal storytelling appeal.  

With these Guangdong productions set for August release, the province further solidifies its position as a major force in China's film industry, proving that local stories can achieve national resonance when told with authenticity and craftsmanship.  

Source: dayoo
Photos: 广东发布, 南方声屏报, 深圳光明, 北京文艺观察
Author: Wang (intern)