[PRESS] Japanese filmmaker’s "dialogue" with Xi Jinping premieres at Innis Town Hall — includes live Q&A - Mar 14

The film follows an animation director who accepts a commission to produce a film praising Xi Jinping. As he struggles to align the project with the ideologies of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the filmmaker immerses himself in research on Xi’s past and the history of the Party. In the process, he enters an imagined realm and begins an imaginary dialogue with the spirit of Xi Jinping within a world that transcends reality. This exchange gradually transforms into an intense ideological debate, questioning the existence of God and the fundamental meaning of human existence.

The Toronto premiere will be followed by a live Q&A — offering audiences a direct “dialogue” with Director Sonoda about the film’s themes and creative process.

“We must not allow the future of humanity to be dictated by the will of China,” says Director Sonoda.

In the summer of 2020, following his previous work Philosopher King: Lee Teng-hui's Dialogue—which focused on the former Taiwanese President and was screened at the United Nations Human Rights Council—Sonoda resolved to tackle the subject of Xi Jinping. However, the production was fraught with challenges. The project faced repeated setbacks including unsuccessful crowdfunding efforts and departure of key staff members.

Five years after its initial conception, the film was finally completed last summer. Following an online sneak preview for China scholars and international organizations, prompted a response from a Toronto-based Hong Kong group whose collaboration helped bring the world premiere to Toronto this March.

Event Details:

What: LOVE SUPREME: Dialogue with Xi Jinping — Toronto World Premiere followed by a Q&A with Director Hideto Sonoda.

When: March 14, 2026. Show begins at 7:00 PM (Film Duration: 2 hours)

Where: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto, ON M5S 1J5

Tickets/RSVP: https://www.lovesupremefilm.com/event-list

About Hideto Sonoda:

Hideto Sonoda was born in Japan in 1970. After graduating from Waseda University's School of Letters, Arts and Sciences (Department of Philosophy), he began his career as a filmmaker and established his own production company, REICIEL STUDIO Inc.

He holds deep respect for the late Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui, the subject of his previous film, Philosopher King. In 2018, the film was screened at the 39th United Nations Human Rights Council, where he delivered a speech calling for the eradication of dictatorial rule.

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