Japanese Filmmaker of LOVE SUPREME: Dialog with Xi Jinping makes public statement, re: Demand letter from Texas lawyer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mar 12, Toronto—At a press conference held in Toronto earlier today, Japanese Filmmaker Hideto Sonoda made the following statement regarding a Demand Letter he received earlier this week:

First, there is something I would like to say. The intention behind the legal demand letter we received was clear. It tried to create the false impression that screening the film LOVE SUPREME violates hate speech laws—specifically Canadian Penal Code Articles 318 and 319—and to create confusion for both the organizers and the audience.

But ironically, this letter itself reflects the very essence of the film.The lawyer who sent it seems to believe that human behavior can be controlled through fear.  Yet fear is exactly the theme this film explores.  Saturday, we are here to screen a film about overcoming fear. And that is why we will never yield to intimidation—under any circumstances.

Fear must not be the guiding principle of human action. Love must be.

I created this film because I strongly feel that the motivations driving Xi Jinping’s actions are rooted in fear. Throughout history, humanity has believed in the existence of God. From that belief emerged a universal principle: love—not egoism, not mere self-preservation, but love for others that transcends the self.

That is the spirit I tried to express through this film.  For more than seventy years, the Chinese Communist Party has governed as an officially atheist state. In that process, I believe something essential has been lost: love. So, why should expressing such a perspective be considered hate speech? 

Ultimately, this film is a film about love.

There is a line in the film: "A journey of love that conquers fear.” Through this screening, we begin that journey together.  Because I believe that human beings must not be guided by fear. They must be guided by love.

I hope we can continue that journey together.

Thank you very much.

The World Premiere of LOVE SUPREME: Dialogue with Xi jinping is taking place at Innis Hall at the University of Toronto, this Saturday, March 14 at 7 pm.

Video of the full press conference can be viewed here >

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For media inquiries, interview requests, or screening access, please contact: 

thkag.can@gmail.com