Opened at the Vietnam National Cinema Center in Hanoi on December 12 evening, the event drew strong interest as tickets sold out quickly after going on sale on December 8.

Hosted by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam with support from many partners, the festival features 10 films, with classics such as Love Letter (1995), Seven Samurai (1954), and Ghost in the Shell (1995) are already fully booked.

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Hosted by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam, the festival features 10 films, including classics such as Love Letter (1995), Seven Samurai (1954), and Ghost in the Shell (1995). (Photo: The organizing board)

These beloved classic films have stood the test of time, building their own brands and fan communities.

The remaining films, including Sunset Sunrise, Showtime 7, and The Imaginary, are recent releases from 2023-2025, all achieving over 50% occupancy. Notably, Cells at Work, directed by Hideki Takeuchi, attracted significant attention as the director visited Vietnam for an in-person audience interaction.

Do Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema under the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted that the films cover a range of genres of drama, comedy, romance, and crime thrillers, appealing to a wide audience. These films carry profound messages and explore multiple facets of social life, he said.

Events like the film festival are expected to help Vietnamese audiences gain a deeper understanding of Japan and vice versa, thus promoting cooperation across fields between the two countries.

Source: VNA