What makes people laugh, cry, and connect across borders? Japanese director Ryo Takeuchi's documentary The Yangtze River—hitting Chinese theaters on May 24—suggests the answer lies in our shared humanity. 🌏
The film, which premiered in Japan in April, captures daily life along China's iconic river. Takeuchi told CGTN he watched Japanese audiences react to the scenes with the same emotional beats as viewers in China. \"Everyone laughed or cried at the same moments,\" he said. \"It felt like we were all part of the same story.\" 😢✨
Takeuchi's project reflects a growing cultural bridge between Asia's two largest economies. While food, language, and traditions differ, the director highlights universal themes: family bonds, resilience, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. 🏮📽️
For young travelers and culture enthusiasts, the film offers a rare lens into communities rarely seen on screen. And for those tracking Asia's soft power? It's proof that storytelling can turn rivers into ribbons tying nations together.
