The event was co-organised by the Osaka city authorities, the Tre Bamboo Vietnamese Language School, and the Vietnamese Association in Kansai, with the aim of promoting cultural exchange and strengthening mutual understanding among communities in the region.
Representing Viet Nam at the festival, Le Thuong, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai and founder of the Tre Bamboo Vietnamese Language School, highlighted the power of cinema as a borderless language for cultural promotion. “Cinema is a universal language, and Song Lang is proof of that. Through the story of cai luong - a traditional form of Vietnamese opera - the film conveys profoundly human emotions: loneliness, empathy, and the longing to be understood. We hope that through this film, audiences will feel the depth of Vietnamese culture, of a small country that is kind-hearted, diverse and rich in identity,” she said.
Song Lang, the debut work of Vietnamese-American director Leon Quang Le (Le Nhat Quang), does more than depict history or illustrate cai luong. It presents the art form as an intimate part of daily life. Since its release, the film has won numerous domestic and international awards.
The evening also featured a traditional ao dai fashion show, designed by Tang Mai Anh, which left a deep impression on both the international audience and the Vietnamese community. The graceful silhouette of the ao dai was not only a symbol of hospitality but also a means of showcasing and promoting Vietnamese heritage on the global stage.
The film screening and cultural exchange in Osaka stand as a testament to Viet Nam’s efforts to use the arts as a tool of cultural diplomacy, enhancing the nation’s cultural profile internationally.
Such meaningful activities not only help to preserve Vietnamese traditions but also to inspire their growth in the context of globalisation and deeper international integration.
