Dearest

2014 2h 8m ZH

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 71

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A story centered around a divorced couple living in a southern Chinese city Shenzhen and dealing with the disappearance of their missing son.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Zhao Wei
Li Hongqin
Huang Bo
Tian Wenjun
Hao Lei
Lu Xiaojuan
Tong Dawei
Gao Xia
Zhang Yi
Han Dezhong
Zhang Yuqi
Fan Yun
Zhang Guoqiang
Lu's Husband
Yu Ailei
Detective Liu Xiandong

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Peter Chan
Writers: Zhang Ji
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: Hong Kong, China

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 12 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Hong Kong, China.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Peter Chan, shot by Jeremy Zhou. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Leon Ko. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Derek Hui Wang-Yu shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Zhao Wei and Huang Bo and Hao Lei carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt3752930 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Peter Chan directs. Jeremy Zhou behind the camera. Leon Ko scores. Derek Hui Wang-Yu cuts. Produced in Hong Kong, China. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 12 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: Hong Kong, China.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Peter Chan, shot by Jeremy Zhou. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Leon Ko. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Derek Hui Wang-Yu shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Zhao Wei and Huang Bo and Hao Lei carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt3752930 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 71 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Jeremy Zhou
Original score: Leon Ko
Editing: Derek Hui Wang-Yu
Costume design: Crystal Pa
Sound: Joe Huang
Runtime: 128 min · 2h 8m
Status: Released
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): 14A
IMDB: Dearest (2014)

Awards

Huabiao Award for Outstanding Film

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Peter Chan

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-09-12
★ 8/10
Dearest tells the heartbreaking true story of two parents, Wenjun and Xiaojuan, whose young son is abducted, triggering a relentless nationwide search that spans years and emotional devastation. When their child is finally found living with another family, a painful custody battle and complex emotional fallout unfold, especially as the boy no longer remembers his real parents. With raw performances and a gripping plot, the film highlights the harsh reality of child abduction and the enduring power of parental love. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Production companies