Upload: Mar 18, 2026 4:00 AM (JST)
[PRESS] Proactive Film "LOVE SUPREME: Dialogue with Xi Jinping" Premieres in Toronto Amidst Political Disruption and Legal Pressure
TORONTO, ON – March 14, 2026 – LOVE SUPREME: Dialogue with Xi Jinping, a feature film
by Japanese independent director Hideto Sonoda, made its world theatrical premiere in Toronto.
Despite receiving a legal notice alleging that the film contained inflammatory claims against a
specific nationality, the production faced further disruption during the premiere. Two individuals
embedded in the audience stood up and began shouting political slogans such as "I support
Hong Kong, Hong Kong is part of China." The disruptors physically knocked over chairs in the
front row before being promptly escorted out by venue staff. The screening proceeded as
scheduled.
(Post-disruption scene / Venue provided)
(Disrupters' placard / Organizer provided)
Director Hideto Sonoda, known for his previous work Philosopher King: Lee Teng-hui’s
Dialogue, presents in this new film a fictional dialogue depicting how Xi Jinping and the Chinese
Communist Party’s governance structure exploit universal human fear. The story follows an
anime director tasked with making a biography of Xi Jinping, who must confront his own fear of
the ruler and overcome it through love and reason, utilizing a blend of live-action drama and
animation. The world premiere was made possible through collaboration with Toronto-based
Hong Kong community groups who resonated with the film following a private online preview in
December.
During the post-screening Q&A session, an audience member challenged the director, stating,
"Harvard research shows 90% of the people support the Chinese government. Isn't your
depiction of 'Xi Jinping’s world domination through fear' merely subjective?" However, Sheng
Xue, a prominent Toronto-based Chinese democracy activist in attendance, countered this
claim. Sharing vivid accounts of realities such as state-sponsored kidnappings, she strongly
defended the film’s truthfulness and artistic merit. She later took to social media to publicly voice
her support for the event.
Following the event, the stage was crowded with audience members eager to speak with the
director. One Canadian attendee told Sonoda, "I don’t want to ask any questions right now. I’d
rather just immerse myself in the beautiful afterglow of this film."
In his closing remarks, Director Sonoda stated: "Despite the various attempts at disruption, I am
grateful that no one was injured and that such a warm, moving exchange took place. I am proud
to have shared the moment this intense film, LOVE SUPREME, truly came to life here in
Toronto, refusing to succumb to pressures that seek to silence freedom of expression."
Future screening dates are being planned and will be announced when confirmed.
[Media Inquiries, Interview Requests, and Screener Links]
Distributor: Reiciel studio (Japan) Email: lovesupreme.screening@pm.me
Contact: Ryuta Oshima, Overseas promoter
Event organizer: Unpublished Media Inc. (Canada) Email: james@unpublishedmedia.com