DREAMS & DELUSIONS: VISIONS OF KUROSAWA KIYOSHI
A Journey into the World of Kiyoshi Kurosawa Through the Perspective of ASEAN’s Emerging Film Curators

Hanoi, June 2026 – The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam is pleased to present “Dreams & Delusions: Visions of Kiyoshi Kurosawa,” a special film program taking place from June 5–7 and June 12, 2026, at White Light Cinéhub, Hanoi.

The program is curated by Nguyen Le, the only Vietnamese participant selected for the ASEAN-Japan Next Generation Film Curators and Cinema Professionals Development Program under the WA Project 2.0 (2024). 

Through the curatorial perspective of a new generation of Southeast Asian film practitioners, the program offers Vietnamese audiences an opportunity to engage with the works of Kiyoshi Kurosawa, one of the most influential filmmakers in contemporary Japanese cinema.

Widely recognized for his unique blend of horror, psychological drama, and social philosophy, Kiyoshi Kurosawa has developed a distinctive cinematic language in which the anxieties of modern life are reflected through highly symbolic narratives. His films frequently explore themes of isolation, fractured human relationships, and the transformations of contemporary society, earning both critical acclaim and international recognition.

As part of the program, audiences will have the opportunity to experience two representative works by the director:

Pulse / 回路, 2001 – T18

Running Time: 119 minutes

Considered a landmark of early twenty-first-century Japanese cinema, Pulse examines loneliness and social disconnection in modern society through a story in which supernatural phenomena emerge alongside the rise of digital technology and the internet. The film is widely regarded as a pioneering exploration of human anxieties in the digital age.

License to Live / 人間合格, 1999 – T13
Running Time: 109 minutes

This deeply moving film follows a young man’s journey of recovery and self-discovery after awakening from a prolonged coma. Through its humanistic narrative, the film offers profound reflections on family, memory, and personal identity in contemporary society.

In addition to the screenings, the program will feature a special public talk aimed at introducing new perspectives on Japanese film culture and fostering direct dialogue between film enthusiasts and emerging curators from Vietnam and Japan.

A highlight of the program is the discussion session on June 7, 2026, which will offer audiences insights into the work of film curators, the process of developing independent film programs, and current trends in cinematic exchange between Japan and Southeast Asia.

Featured speakers include:

Yuki Kabasawa – Film Programmer at Eurospace Cinema (Tokyo, Japan)

Nguyen Le – Film Curator representing Vietnam

Through presentations and a Q&A session, the speakers will share practical experiences in film programming and curation while discussing the role of cinema as a medium for cultural exchange and dialogue across communities. “Through this program, we hope to provide Vietnamese audiences with access to one of the most significant voices in contemporary Japanese cinema, while creating a platform for meaningful dialogue between film professionals and cinema enthusiasts in Vietnam,” said a representative of The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.

EVENT INFORMATION

Program Title: Dreams & Delusions: Visions of Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Dates: June 5–7 and June 12, 2026

Venue: White Light Cinéhub – Room T3.6
29 Alley 31, Lane 167 Tay Son Street, Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

➤ 05/06

• 20:00 — Screening: ニンゲン合格  / License to Live <T13>

Registration link: https://forms.gle/cZcZ1rHqQA8yM9es8

➤ 06/06

• 11:00 — Screening: 回路 / Pulse <T18>

Registration link: https://forms.gle/sH2hpvVyZPva3GfA6

➤07/06

• 11:00 — Talk: Sustaining a Dream — How to Maintain an Arthouse Cinema

Speaker: Kabasawa Yuki

Moderator: Nguyên Lê

Registration link: https://forms.gle/tpoEoRW36FhgWGw86

• 20:00 — Screening: ニンゲン合格  / License to Live <T13>

Registration link: https://forms.gle/cZcZ1rHqQA8yM9es8

➤ 12/06

• 20:00 — Screening: 回路 / Pulse <T18>

Registration link: https://forms.gle/sH2hpvVyZPva3GfA6

The program is free of charge and open to film enthusiasts, those interested in Japanese culture, as well as film researchers and practitioners. As seating is limited, advance registration is strongly recommended.

Please check WLC’s Facebook page for registration details: https://www.facebook.com/whitelightcinehub

ABOUT THEC CURATORS

Nguyen Le (Film Curator / Film Critic)

Nguyen Le is a film critic, subtitle specialist, and film consultant. He is a member of several international critics’ organizations, including the Critics Choice Association, FIPRESCI, GALECA, and the International Cinephile Society. His writing has appeared in publications such as RogerEbert.com, Houston Chronicle, Vietcetera, and Saigoneer. In 2024, he represented Vietnam in the ASEAN-Japan Next Generation Film Curators and Cinema Professionals Development Program under the WA Project 2.0.

Yuki Kabasawa (Film Programmer)

Yuki Kabasawa is a film programmer at Eurospace, one of Tokyo’s leading independent art-house cinemas. She was selected to participate in the Programmer Exchange Program organized by The Japan Foundation and the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).

CONTACT:

The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam
27 Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (+84) 24 3944 7419
Website: https://hn.jpf.go.jp/