nhk world's miyuki tokoi reports. >> reporter: it attracts young filmmakers from across asia. this filmmaker is here to offer his expertise and screen his latest film. "mountains may depart" follows the life of a chinese woman over 26 years. in 1999, she marries an investor during china's economic boom. her husband gets rich, but the two are soon divorced, and she decides it's in her son's best interest to leave him with her ex-husband. the film exposed the enduring nature of love between mother and child in a country undergoing rapid change. >> reporter: this film has been shown all over china. this japanese producer ichiyama is a major reason for its success. his credits include work by a well-known japanese director, takano. in 1998, jia was seeking support outside china. his first film addressed china's growing economic inequality, but the government banned domestic screenings. meanwhile, ichiyama was looking for young asian directors to work with. >> translator: since the beginning, his work has been totally unique. i was surprised when i saw it for the first time. he has