The National Film Association of Thailand announced on a certain date that "Grandma's Grandson" will represent Thailand in the competition for the 96th Academy Awards' Best International Film category. At the end of October, the Thai film "Grandma's Grandson" was released in mainland China. As Thailand's highest-grossing film of the year so far, the movie has received high acclaim since its domestic release, with a Douban rating of 8.0, making it one of the highest-rated Thai films currently.

"Tai" tugs at the heartstrings, with details drawn from real life. "The film discusses family relationships that we are all familiar with, and I think this is the main reason why the film is so popular and resonates with the audience," said director Ba Wennidiba of "Grandma's Grandson" in an interview with reporters. The film portrays the subtle emotional relationships between family members and tells the story of unemployed young man A'an from a Thai-Chinese family, who, upon learning that his grandmother is terminally ill, takes on the role of a "full-time filial grandson" to care for her in hopes of inheriting a million in assets.

The topic of family ethics in films has repeatedly trended on Chinese social media, with many Chinese viewers moved to tears after watching. Some admitted that the film was too realistic, as if they were seeing their own grandmother through it. Others said that the story in the film felt like an ordinary event happening around us, yet it touched the softest part of the heart and addressed some unavoidable issues in society, such as the traditional concepts of "raising sons for old age" and "preferring boys over girls."

Bawenidi Ba expressed that this is his first venture into family-themed films. He and the screenwriter spent two years meticulously refining the script, and the inspiration for the story is also based on the screenwriter's personal experiences—when he was young, he took care of his sick grandmother, an experience that has always been etched in his heart. Many details in the film are derived from the lives of people around him. "We incorporated the common elements of family into the film, hoping that audiences of all ages can see reflections of their own lives and experiences in it," Ba said. They aim to tell the deepest stories and feelings in people's hearts, integrating cultural elements into the plot, and connecting people's hearts together. Only such films can transcend time and borders.

Zhang Dong, Chairman of Art Media International Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Art Media"), who has been engaged in Sino-Thai film and television cultural exchanges for many years, stated that this is an earnest film. The emotions between the grandmother and the grandson are universal worldwide. The film, through delicate narrative techniques, unearths the warmth and complexity of family relationships, allowing audiences to see reflections of themselves and their families, which is also the reason why the film's box office exceeded expectations in many countries. Not only in Thailand and China, but the film also achieved remarkable box office results in Indonesia, Singapore, and other places, demonstrating to global audiences the importance of emotional resonance in film dissemination.

"Tai" intimate, integrating Chaozhou elements and Chinese imprints. The film "Grandma's Grandson" incorporates a wealth of Chinese elements and Chinese cultural imprints: Grandma is from Chaozhou, with occasional interludes of Chaozhou dialect; the interior decorations, such as the cupboard, shrine, and door stickers of golden boy and jade girl, all exude a strong Chaozhou flavor; the film also features scenes of tomb-sweeping during Qingming Festival and popular folk songs in the Chaozhou region. This cultural affinity undoubtedly enhances the Chinese audience's sense of identity and intimacy with the film.

The pomegranate tree that repeatedly appears in the film not only symbolizes the hope planted by Ah An's grandmother at his birth but also serves as the emotional thread that runs through the film. The pomegranate tree holds a significant place in the hearts of the Chaoshan people, and the pomegranate in Chaoshan culture carries the beautiful meaning of "many sons, many blessings." One of the most touching elements of the film is the appearance of the Chaozhou nursery rhyme. "Feng a feng, feng jin gong, jin gong zuo lao die..." The nursery rhyme "Feng Jin Gong" is widely circulated in the Chaoshan region. When Ah An hums the rhyme as his grandmother is on her deathbed, it brings tears to the eyes. The nursery rhyme is not only a resonance of emotions but also a form of cultural heritage.

Thailand is one of the countries with the highest number of Chaoshanese immigrants. According to incomplete statistics, there are about 100,000 Thai Chinese whose ancestral roots are in the Chaoshang region. Many Chaozhou people, driven by the need to make a living, left their homes and sailed across the seas to Siam (the old name for Thailand). In the capital city of Bangkok, walking into the Chinatown located on Yaowarat Road, one is bound to be impressed by the strong Chaoshang atmosphere—many of the street signs retain the appearance of the early 20th century Chaoshang region, with many signs featuring the words "Chaozhou" and "Shantou," all of which reveal its close connection to Chaoshang.

Director Bawenidiba, also a descendant of Chinese immigrants born in Thailand, had his father's family migrate from Shantou, China, to Thailand. As a child, Baw often heard his grandmother recount the story of their journey by boat from China to Thailand. "When I made this film, I hadn't actually been to China yet, but I felt as if I had already been there, because the Chinese sentiment in my family runs deep, and Chinese culture has taken root in Thailand," Baw said. To Baw, it feels special to turn the cultural elements preserved by his grandmother's generation into a film and release it in China. Chinese audiences will feel a sense of familiarity, while also being able to appreciate the long-standing and close cultural exchanges between Thailand and China, highlighting the profound and enduring connection between the two nations.

"Confident in the Broad Prospects of Sino-Thai Film Cooperation" Thailand's advertisements have long been widely acclaimed globally for their innovative and unique creativity. In recent years, Thai films and TV dramas have also begun to attract industry attention. "Grandma's Grandson," produced by a Thai film company, is a notable example. This company also produced the highly acclaimed film "Bad Genius," which achieved over 100 million yuan in box office revenue after its release in China.

Sompong Wongkongtong, Director of Marketing and International Business at the company, stated that Chinese films have had a significant impact on him and other film and television professionals. Many Thais grew up watching Chinese TV dramas and films, and China is also a massive film market. "We are delighted that this film can showcase its unique appeal on the international stage and hope to use this opportunity to introduce Thai films to Chinese audiences and open up a larger cultural market."

In recent years, exchanges between China and Thailand in the fields of film and television, among others, have been increasing. The Bangkok Chinese Film Festival has been held for several sessions, becoming a bright brand for cultural exchanges between the two countries. Thailand is also a popular location for film shoots, with Chinese films such as "Lost in Thailand" and "Detective Chinatown" choosing locations in Thailand. Cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya in Thailand are increasingly appearing in the lenses of Chinese films.

To promote Thailand's economic development and enhance its status on the international stage, the Thai government is actively expanding its cultural soft power and has established the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, covering various fields such as culture, tourism, film, and sports. Sompong stated that the success of "Grandma's Grandson" is not only due to the hard work of the production team but also a testament to the successful export of Thai culture. The filming location, Talat Phlu Market in Bangkok's Thonburi district, has now become a popular destination for tourists, attracting large numbers of visitors not only to explore but also to gain a deeper understanding of Thai culture and local customs.

Chairman of the Film and Drama Subcommittee of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee of Thailand, Chareonchai Chareonchaiyukon, stated that films play a role in cultural exchange. With the popularity of "Grandma's Grandson," Thai films and dramas are increasingly drawing attention from the international market, indicating that Thailand's cultural industry is thriving and is a sign of the country's growing soft power. "Films play a crucial role in cultural exchange. We place great importance on exchanges and cooperation with China in the film sector, and we believe the future prospects for cooperation are very promising," said Chareonchai.

In the view of Zhang Dong, Chairman of Yiding Media, as a family-themed film, "Grandma's Grandson" achieves an extremely high level of completion, striking a perfect balance between artistry and commercial appeal, providing a valuable example for Chinese cinema. "Film and television practitioners all know that 'content is king.' For a film or television work to succeed, it must first meticulously polish the script. 'Grandma's Grandson' invested a great deal of effort during the script polishing stage. Then, it is about getting the details right, touching people's hearts with sincerity, and finding the balance between commerce and art. If this can be achieved, a low-budget film can also become popular and earn high acclaim," Zhang Dong said.