Takeuchi Ryo: I like China’s dynamic changes very much

　　China News Service, Tokyo, April 8: Title: Ryo Takeuchi: I like China’s dynamic changes very much

　　China News Service reporter Zhu Chenxi

　　"Over the years, the development and changes of Chinese society have been rapid. I like this dynamic change in China very much and want to record it." Japanese documentary director Ryo Takeuchi made a speech at the film version of the documentary "Farewell to the Yangtze River" held by the Chinese Embassy in Japan on the 7th. ” said at the preview.

　　Takeuchi Ryo's documentary film "Farewell to the Yangtze River" will be released in mainstream theaters across Japan from April 12. In this movie, Ryo Takeuchi starts from Shanghai and travels upstream along the Yangtze River in Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing and other cities along the Yangtze River, spanning about 6,300 kilometers in search of a drop of water at the source of the Yangtze River.

On April 7, local time, a preview screening of the movie version of "Farewell to the Yangtze River" was held at the Chinese Embassy in Japan. The picture shows Japanese documentary director Ryo Takeuchi (first from left), Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao (second from left) and one of the protagonists of "Farewell to the Yangtze River" Tsim (first from right) taking a group photo at the scene. Photo by reporter Zhu Chenxi

　　In 2011, Takeuchi Ryo produced a documentary for the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) called "A Journey to the Yangtze River, Heaven and Earth". In the movie "Farewell to the Yangtze River", Ryo Takeuchi recorded the touching reunion with his former interview subject.

　　Ryo Takeuchi has lived in Nanjing since 2013. "China is developing and changing very quickly, to the extent that you will feel unaccustomed to it if you leave it for even a year." Regarding the opportunity to photograph the Yangtze River again, Takeuchi said, "If you don't travel to the places where the Yangtze River flows, it will be difficult to say that you are not used to it." To truly understand China. I want to use this river to show the changes in China over the years."

　　At the preview screening on the 7th, he passionately talked about his thoughts on filming this work. "I live in Nanjing, so I have a lot of affection for the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River has a special charm for the Japanese. Many Japanese like "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and many cities along the Yangtze River are related to this. Chibi, Baidi City, etc. are all here It’s shown in the film.”

　　Ryo Takeuchi told a reporter from China News Service that this is his first movie to be released in Japanese theaters. His dream since high school has been to become a film director. "The current Japanese media reports on China are basically biased. There are almost no objective reports on China. I hate this situation. I hope that through this movie, everyone can see an ordinary and real China. "

　　Talking about the difference between the movie version of "Farewell to the Yangtze River" and the online version that has been broadcast before, Takeuchi said that in addition to making choices in content to fit the movie's broadcast duration, the most important thing is that the story line has changed. The movie version goes all the way up the Yangtze River from Shanghai to the Tuotuo River, the western source of the Yangtze River, while the online version is the opposite. Takeuchi Ryo explained that this is to take care of the viewing experience of Japanese audiences. "Cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Wuhan are more familiar to Japanese people, and it is easier for Japanese people to feel immersed in them."

　　Regarding how to enhance mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, Takeuchi said that most Japanese who have been to China will like China, so face-to-face communication is crucial.

　　Among all the stories in "Farewell to the Yangtze River", there is a Tibetan girl named Tsim who left a particularly deep impression on the audience. The story of how she realized her dream of opening a B&B in Shangri-La, Yunnan through unremitting efforts was so touching that many viewers shed tears. Zimu also came to the Tokyo screening that day.

　　Tsim, who was visiting Japan for the first time, said: "This is completely different from the Japan I had in mind. I thought Japan was full of two-story wooden houses." Tsim's words made the audience laugh.

　　Cimu told reporters that his life has changed dramatically since the documentary was broadcast. Now many people know his name and the B&B he currently runs. She said her dream in the future is to continue to expand the scale of the B&B and introduce the charm of her hometown to more people.

　　Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao also attended the movie preview that day. Wu Jianghao said that "Farewell to the Yangtze River" reflects the tremendous changes in the areas along the Yangtze River in the past ten years with its unique perspective and superb shooting. It is the epitome of China's social development and progress in the new era. I hope that Japanese friends will get to know China through the film, and then go to China in person to experience the pace of development of modern China.

　　Seiichi Hashimoto, an audience member at the scene and chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association in Saitama Prefecture, expressed to reporters that he hopes more Japanese audiences will see this film to increase their interest in and understanding of China. (over)