“A powerful indictment of systemic racism and the criminal justice system.”
— Josh Flanders and Sheri Flanders,
“Stunningly relevant... belongs in the same category as The Central Park Five, The Thin Blue Line, Making a Murderer, and 13th.”
— R. Colin Tait,
“Extraordinarily moving... what documentary filmmaking should strive for.”
— Nick Allen,
ABOUT THE FILM
LOGLINE
In 1970s San Francisco, 20-year-old Korean immigrant Chol Soo Lee is racially profiled and convicted of a Chinatown gang murder. Sentenced to life, he spends years fighting to survive until investigative journalist K.W. Lee takes a special interest in his case, igniting an unprecedented social justice movement that would unite Asian Americans, and inspire a new generation of activists. Nearly five decades later, FREE CHOL SOO LEE excavates a largely unknown yet essential story, crafting an intimate portrait of the complex man at the center of the movement, serving as an urgent reminder that Lee’s legacy is more relevant than ever.
LONG SYNOPSIS
In 1973, 20-year-old Korean immigrant Chol Soo Lee is racially profiled and arrested in a gang-related murder in San Francisco’s Chinatown. After a trial hinging on questionable accounts from white tourists, Lee is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He spends years fighting to survive until investigative journalist K.W. Lee takes a special interest in his case, igniting an unprecedented social justice movement that would unite Asian Americans and inspire a new generation of activists.
Filmmakers Julie Ha and Eugene Yi blend rich archival footage, firsthand interviews with activists, and poignant narration drawn from Lee’s personal writings to create a riveting portrait of the movement, as well as the complex man at the center of it, who struggled not only with re-entry but the pressure of being a beacon for his community. Nearly five decades after Lee’s wrongful imprisonment, this essential yet largely unknown story serves as an urgent reminder of the power of collective action, through a strikingly intimate lens.
Directors Julie Ha, Eugene Yi
Producers Su Kim, Jean Tsien, Sona Jo
Executive Producers Sally Jo Fifer, Stephen Gong, Lois Vossen, Kathryn Everett, Andy Hsieh, Bryn Mooser
Editors Jean Tsien, ACE, Aldo Velasco
Cinematographers Michael Chin, Jerry Henry
Music Gretchen Jude
Cast Chol Soo Lee, K.W. Lee, Ranko Yamada, Sebastian Yoon
FESTIVALS
2022: Sundance (World Premiere)
AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World
EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download
PRESS KIT
Download Press Kit
AVAILABLE PRESS IMAGES (click to preview)
