Film: Kūkai Screening and Q&A

电影：空海传及主创交流
Sunday, 8/23/2026
1:30 - 4:30
Koret Auditorium
Koret Lobby
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

KŪKAI is the first Chinese documentary to comprehensively present the life of the renowned Japanese monk Kūkai. Directed by Yue Ye in her feature debut and supported by widespread crowdfunding, the film traces the cultural roots of Kūkai’s legacy and recreates the vibrant intellectual exchange of the Tang Dynasty—an era when travelers crossed the seas to China and carried home the ideas and traditions that shaped Eastern civilization. Through bold storytelling and resonant imagery, the film reflects Kūkai’s enduring ideals of purity of heart and compassion for all beings.

Recognized with multiple international awards, the documentary offers a calm and moving portrayal of Kūkai’s compassion, dedication, and cultural influence. After the screening, members of the film team will share behind‑the‑scenes insights into the making of the film and its mission of cultural transmission.

Genre: Documentary

Languages: English

PG-13, 90 mins., 2026. Closed captions (CC) in Chinese. 

Connect:

Trailer - KŪKAI

《KŪKAI》是首部由中国创作、全面呈现日本高僧空海生平的纪录片。影片由导演乐晔完成其长片处女作，并通过大规模众筹支持而诞生。纪录片追溯空海精神遗产的文化源流，重现盛唐时期蓬勃而开放的文明交流——那是一个充满自信的时代，无数使者与留学生横渡大海来到中国，再将东方文明的种子带回本土，让思想与信仰跨越时空扎根传播。影片以大胆的形式与深沉的共鸣，展现空海“心之纯净”“悲悯众生”的超然理念——穿越千年仍动人心魄。

影片屡获国际大奖，以平和而真挚的叙事呈现空海的慈悲、奉献与深远文化影响。放映结束后，主创团队将分享幕后创作过程，以及他们在文化传承中的使命与实践。

類型：紀錄片

語言：英語

普通級，90 分鐘，2026 年。中文字幕（CC）。

連接: 

預告片 -空海传

Film & Video

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Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

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