Nanjing-based Japanese documentary director Ryo Takeuchi, who rose to fame last year for his hit documentary series that captured how the Chinese responded to and recovered from the COVID-19 epidemic, will give a talk and sign autograph for his new book “The Reasons I Live Here” in Shenzhen this Saturday.

Ryo Takeuchi

His two documentaries, titled “Nanjing’s Anti-epidemic Scene” and “Long Time No See, Wuhan,” went viral in both China and Japan last year, garnering tens of millions of views on social media platforms.

Last month, his 50-minute documentary “Mountain” was released online, focusing on poverty alleviation in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. The film crew kicked off a 10-day shoot at Daliangshan Village in July 2020.

Takeuchi was already known by many in China for his long-running documentary series “The Reasons I Live Here,” which depicts stories of Chinese living in Japan and foreigners living in China.

Having been in Nanjing for seven years, Takeuchi said that he enjoys recording the life of ordinary Chinese people because China is an “interesting country with rapid change.”

Readers should pay a 10-yuan non-refundable deposit to sign up for Saturday’s talk. When they buy the book at the event, they can then enjoy 10 yuan off.

Time: 7:30-9 p.m., May 8

Venue: Biblio, inside UpperHills, Futian District (福田區深業上城內本來書店)

Metro: Line 10 to Donggualing Station (冬瓜嶺站), Exit A