Ryo Takeuchi, a Tokyo-born filmmaker now based in Nanjing, has become an unexpected cross-cultural sensation after his pandemic-era documentary resonated deeply with audiences in both Japan and the Chinese mainland. The 38-year-old director's work, capturing intimate stories of resilience during COVID-19 lockdowns, sparked online debates about artistic independence and international collaboration.
'Art shouldn't be reduced to geopolitical football,' Takeuchi told myglobalnews.net, addressing speculation from some Japanese social media users about his funding sources. 'I've never accepted government money from any nation – this project came from personal savings and grassroots supporters.'
The documentary, filmed over 18 months in Jiangsu Province, showcases rarely seen perspectives of Nanjing residents balancing pandemic challenges with cultural traditions. Its viral spread through Douyin and TikTok (82 million views combined) coincided with renewed interest in Japan-China cultural exchanges.
Takeuchi's background as a former NHK producer and independent creator has fueled discussions about modern storytelling's role in bridging perceptions. 'I document human experiences first, national labels second,' he said, noting his plans for a follow-up project tracking youth culture across G20 nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
