Ruben Terlou is a documentary maker, photographer and physician. He studied Mandarin in China and medicine at the University of Amsterdam.

Before, during and after his studies he worked as a photographer, particularly in China and Afghanistan. He won several Silver Camera prizes with his series, notably the Prize for Innovative Photojournalism in 2016. That year also marked his television debut, with the successful series “Langs de Oevers van de Yangtze” (Along the banks of the Yangtze), broadcast by the VPRO. Partly due to his fluent mastery of Mandarin and disarming interview style, he offered a surprising view of contemporary Chinese Society in 6 parts. Terlou's debut on television was nominated for the Silver Nipkow disc in 2016.

Early 2018, the sequel series “Door het hart van China” (Through the Heart of China) came out, followed by an exhibition of Terlou's photo work from China in Museum Hilversum. In the spring of 2019, a photo book and a non-fiction publication of his hand are expected from Lebowski Publishers: “Chinese Dromen” (Chinese dreams).