To Show the World the Real Wuhan—An interview with Ryo Takeuchi, director of documentary Long Time No See, Wuhan

By Rong Yu

(Translation: Lu Qiongyao)

Ryo Takeuchi, a Japanese documentary filmmaker, moved to China 7 years ago because he fell in love with a Chinese girl. Proficient in Chinese, he is the son-in-law of a Nanjing family now.

Prior to the outbreak of the epidemic, Ryo Takeuchi was already a well-known director in the field. His documentary seriesThe Reason I Live Herewas viewed by netizens as a window for cultural exchange between China and Japan. In March of 2020, another of his documentaries,Nanjing’s Antiepidemic Scene, caused a great sensation at home and abroad, enabling foreigners to see the real scene of China’s battle against the epidemic.

On June 26,Long Time No See, Wuhan, a documentary directed by Ryo Takeuchi, was uploaded online. The film features 10 stories of 10 Wuhan families, and Wuhan people’s heartfelt love for this city.

It immediately went viral, and was viewed more than 12 million times in its first 24 hours online.Comments included things like “I saw the real Wuhan in it.” The documentary became such a hit on Weibo and WeChat (both major social media platforms in China) that even Ryo Takeuchi was stunned by its popularity. Audiences were impressed and moved by the stories of the 10 Wuhan families during the epidemic.

At 8 pm on June 27, Ryo Takeuchi told me during our interview on WeChat that the success ofLongTime No See, Wuhanmoved him a lot: “I am moved by the fact that everyone still cares so much about Wuhan.”

竹內亮（Ryo Takeuchi）是一位日本紀錄片導演，因愛上一位中國女孩，他在7年前把家從日本搬到中國，如今是一位“中文10級”的南京女婿。

在此次疫情暴發前，竹內亮已在圈內小有名氣，他的《我住在這里的理由》系列節目被網友視作中日文化交流的一扇窗。今年3月，他拍攝的生活紀錄片《南京抗疫現場》曾在國內外引發巨大回響，讓無數外國人看到了中國抗疫的最真實現場。

6月26日，由竹內亮執導的紀錄片《好久不見，武漢》正式上線，影片為全世界觀眾真實再現了10個武漢家庭的現狀和武漢人對這座城市發自肺腑的愛。

《好久不見，武漢》上線后火速成為爆款，24小時內播放量高達1200多萬次。有網友點評道：“在這里，看到了最真實的武漢?！边@個結果讓他始料未及，而紀錄片很快“出圈”，在微博、朋友圈里刷屏一片?？催^10個武漢家庭在疫情期間的故事，觀者無不動容。

6月27日晚8點，竹內亮在微信通話中告訴我，《好久不見，武漢》的爆紅讓他感動到無以言表，“我感動的點是，原來大家還是這么關心武漢，這么在意武漢。”

這部紀錄片是武漢安全的證據

我（I）：您拍完《南京抗疫現場》后就計劃來武漢嗎？

竹內亮（RT）：其實在拍南京之前就想拍武漢了，但1月和2月來不了，所以就先拍了南京，沒想到慢慢得到了很多人的關注。后來我們決定，利用我們的那一點影響力，在微博上征集武漢的主人公，然后去武漢拍攝武漢人的故事。

This documentary is the best proof of a safe Wuhan

I (Interviewer): Were you planning to come to Wuhan after filming Nanjing’s Anti-epidemic Scene?

RT (Ryo Takeuchi): Actually I wanted to film in Wuhan before Nanjing, but I couldn’t come in January and February, so I filmed in Nanjing first, which unexpectedly gained a lot of attention. So later we decided to use our online influence to recruit Wuhan dwellers on Weibo, and then go to film their stories. And we did.

I: Were there many people volunteering for this after you called online?

RT: There were more than 100 residents that signed up from various channels, each of them with a very touching story. The selection process was not easy,and we eventually managed to select 10 out of it.

I: What are your criteria in the selection of stories?

RT: The most important thing is to present stories foreigners want to know, because our goal is not only attracting Chinese audiences, but also Japanese audiences, and audiences all over the world. Therefore, the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market had to be filmed, the rapidly completed Leishenshan Hospital had to be recorded, and then the frontline medical staff that were closest to the epidemic had to be reported.

As a result, among the 10 stories we selected, there is a Japanese restaurant owner who was a regular customer to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a builder of Leishenshan Hospital, and someone who had lost family members during the epidemic and etc. I think foreign audiences would want to know their stories.

I: Why did you come up with the idea about filming “stories foreigners want to see”?

RT: Before I came to Wuhan,many friends advised me not to go, saying “Wuhan is too dangerous.” Many people out there still have this prejudice against Wuhan. As a foreigner living in China and a documentary filmmaker, I felt I had to go and film Wuhan, to show the world the real Wuhan. This documentary is evidence of Wuhan being safe and secure.

Before shaking hands, he said “I passed the nucleic acid test”

I: What were your expectations about the documentary beforecoming to Wuhan?

RT: I didn’t have any expectations. I came with no script or theme, because I hadn’t seen the city. We usually determine the theme at the scene,so I thought, let’s get there first.

I: What were you thinking when you got off the train at Wuhan Railway Station?

RT: I was concerned that people might be nervous there.They’ve been through so much that they have good reasons to feel nervous. Plus, nucleic acid tests for all residents had been arranged and completed in this city, I imagine locals would be afraid of outsiders. I pictured a train station full of people wearing protective clothing, because local residents have suffered too much.I thought they would be afraid of me. But I never thought things would be so simple and smooth after getting off the train.

I: What was the most difficult part during the shooting?

RT: Nothing, everything went well. We are a small team of 4, yet a lot of locals offered to help us.Many volunteered to share their stories at the very beginning, then many more wanted to help and assist. Our production cost was very low this time, because there were volunteers helping us and driving us around for free. Even the hotel we stayed in was found by volunteers, which offered us the lowest price possible.

A scene from Long Time No See, Wuhan 《好久不見，武漢》劇照

I：征集啟事發出后，報名的人多嗎？

RT：當時從各種不同渠道報名的有一百多人，而且每個都有很感人的故事。挑選的過程真的太痛苦了，最后選出了現在你們看到的這10個人。

I：你用什么標準來挑選主人公？

RT：最重要一點，是要挑選外國人也想看的人物。因為我們的目的不光是讓國內觀眾看，還要給日本人、給全世界的人看。所以，大家都知道的華南海鮮市場必須要有，火速建成的雷神山醫院也要有，包括最接近新冠病毒的一線醫護人員，都要有。

最后出現在紀錄片里的10個人里，有經常在華南海鮮市場采購的日料店老板，有雷神山醫院的建設者，還有家人在疫情期間離世的武漢人。他們的故事，也是外國觀眾最想知道的故事。

I：為什么這么執著于“外國人想看的故事”？

RT：我來武漢之前，很多朋友都勸我說：“不要去，武漢太危險了！”有太多人對武漢有偏見，那我作為一個生活在中國的外國人、一個紀錄片導演，就一定要去拍武漢，給全世界介紹最真實的武漢，這部紀錄片就是武漢安全的證據。

握手前，他說“我做過核酸檢測”

I：在抵達武漢前，你預期要拍一部什么樣的紀錄片？

RT：我沒有任何預期，我來的時候，沒有準備臺本，也沒有準備主題，因為我還沒有看到真正的武漢。我們拍攝的特點就是在拍攝的現場決定主題，所以，去了再說。

I：從武漢火車站下車時，你心里在想什么？

RT：我擔心你們緊張。你們經歷了那么大的事情，感覺應該一直在特別緊張的狀態，而且你們已經全民核酸檢測了，我估計你們會害怕我這種從外地來的人。我想象著，火車站應該站滿了穿著防護服的人，因為你們之前的經歷太艱難了，我覺得你們會怕我。但沒想到，下車之后一切都很簡單，很順利。

I：進入拍攝后，最困難的環節是什么？

RT：沒有，一切都特別順利，我們一共來了4個人，但是好多武漢人都來幫忙。一開始報名的人就很多，后來還有很多人想來當志愿者，當助手。我們這次的制作費很便宜，因為大家都來免費幫忙、免費開車，連我們住的酒店，都是志愿者用最低價格找到的。

I：你拍攝的10個主人公，每個人的故事都非常動人，你自己最有感觸的是哪一個？

RT：其實每個人都讓我很有共鳴，但讓我印象最深刻的，應該是第一位出鏡的，那位經常在華南海鮮市場采購的日料店老板。我們第一次見面時，他遠遠地走過來，要跟我握手，當時他跟我說的第一句話是：“我做過核酸檢測，放心！”我當時聽到這句話特別難過，那一刻我終于明白了武漢人的心情，他們真的經歷了太難的時刻。

I：你是6月1日來的，正是武漢完成全民核酸檢測的節點。

RT：這真的是一個巧合，現在看來我去的時機太好了。千萬市民都做了核酸檢測，我也可以光明正大地告訴所有朋友，武漢真的非常安全，所以我當時也非常開心。

擔心了一天，怕辜負武漢人

Ryo Takeuchi having breakfast on the street in Wuhan竹內亮在武漢街頭過早

I: In the documentary you said,“Long Time No See, Wuhan.”Have you been to Wuhan before?

RT: I have been to the city twice before, once for filming The Reason I Live Here, and the other time for filming the finless porpoise. This time in Wuhan I had the chance to meet many locals, and it’s like all of a sudden I made this new discovery that,the people there are so warmhearted, the food is so delicious,and the river view is so beautiful.You will see many locals on the road in the scenes, which were shot at random without any arrangement. And everyone was enthusiastic.

I: Everyone’s story is touching in this documentary, but which one among the 10 impressed you the most?

RT: I feel for everyone,although the most impressive one for me was our first hero, the owner of a Japanese restaurant who was a regular customer to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. When we first met, he walked over from a distance,reaching out his hand to shake mine, and said his first few words:“I passed the nucleic acid test.Don’t worry.” I was actually very sad to hear this. At that moment,I think I finally understood how local residents must have felt and what hard and dark moments they had been through.

I: You came on June 1, when the nucleic acid tests for all residents were just completed.

RT: That was a coincidence, but it was good timing looking back.Tens of millions of residents have had nucleic acid tests, and I can tell all my friends that Wuhan is really safe, for which I’m very happy.

I: If a Japanese friend asks you how Wuhan is now, how would you respond?

RT: I would say: Go, go enjoy Wuhan! There are many delicious foods and beautiful girls there!I’m actually surprised that although the many local delicacies are staple foods, such as hot dry noodles and Tofu skin, local girls still stay so slim. Anyway, as an outsider, I would say Wuhan has good food with good prices, good midnight snacks, and beautiful scenery.

I was so worried, afraid of letting Wuhan’s people down

I: Obviously your love for this city is felt by Wuhan netizens,who are sharing and reposting your documentary.

RT: In fact, after the filming,our team discussed about whether it should be made into a 10-episode series, each episode 5 to 10 minutes, which might be more attractive? You know, these days everyone is into short videos of a few seconds or one minute long.

I: But in the end, you still made a 1-hour version.

RT: Yes, our team was quite worried after we uploaded it online.What if nobody cares to watch the film into which we have put our heart and soul? We would be letting Wuhan people down, and all those friends who had helped us would also be disappointed. I never expected there were so many views as well as positive comments.I am deeply moved by the fact that everyone still cares about Wuhan.

I: Will this documentary be broadcast overseas?

RT: We posted it on foreign social platforms yesterday and received a good response as well.A special version is expected to be launched on the largest online platform of Japan next week.My biggest goal is to show this documentary to the whole world,since there is still much prejudice against Wuhan. If no one shows the city’s current situation, many foreigners would still retain the memory of February, thinking Wuhan is dangerous.

I: Nanjing’s Anti-epidemic Scene has 2 episodes. Will you come to Wuhan again in the future to shoot the sequel of Long Time No See,Wuhan?

RT: I met many friends while shooting this documentary in Wuhan. If the situation permits,I hope I can come back to Wuhan again in the future to hold a fan meeting. Then I would say to everyone again, “Long Time No See, Wuhan.”

I：紀錄片里，你說了一句話：“好久不見，武漢?！彼阅郧皝磉^武漢？

RT：我以前來過兩次，一次是拍《我住在這里的理由》，還有一次是拍攝江豚。但是這一次再來武漢，和很多普通武漢人接觸之后，我忽然發現，原來武漢人這么熱情，武漢的食物這么好吃，武漢的江景這么美。你在紀錄片里會看到，很多馬路上的老百姓都入了鏡，那都是我們在現場隨意拍的，沒作任何安排，大家都非常熱情。

I：如果現在再有日本朋友問你“武漢怎么樣”，您會怎么回答？

RT：我會說：快去，快去武漢玩！好吃的太多，美女也太多！我很奇怪，你們武漢好吃的東西很多是主食，像熱干面、豆皮什么的，但為什么武漢的美女們吃了這么多主食，她們還是那么瘦？反正我從一個外地人的角度來看武漢，就是東西好吃、便宜，夜宵好，風景更好。

I：武漢網友也感受到了您對武漢的愛，大家都在轉發這部紀錄片。

RT：其實拍完之后，我們團隊也有過討論，是不是應該做成一個10集的形式，每一集就5至10分鐘，這樣觀眾可能更愿意看？你知道，現在大家都喜歡看短視頻，幾十秒、一分鐘的那種。

I：但最后你們還是做成了1個小時的版本。

RT：是，上傳到網上后，我們整個團隊都很不安，擔心我們用心做的東西沒人看，這樣就辜負了在武漢幫助過我們的朋友，辜負了武漢人。可沒想到，居然有那么多人觀看，還給我們點贊，我太感動了，說明大家還是非常關心武漢。

I：這部紀錄片也會在海外播出嗎？

RT：我們昨天已經同步登錄了國外社交平臺，反響也很好，下周預計會在日本最大網絡平臺上線一個特別版本。其實我最大的目的，就是給全世界看這個紀錄片，大家對武漢的偏見確實太多了，如果一直沒有人去更新武漢現在的情況，很多外國人的信息還停留在2月，還覺得武漢很危險呢。

I：《南京抗疫現場》一共拍了兩部，未來您還會再來武漢，拍《好久不見，武漢》續集嗎？

RT：通過拍攝這部紀錄片，我認識了很多武漢朋友，如果未來情況許可，我非常希望能來武漢舉辦粉絲見面會，再對大家說一句“好久不見，武漢”。