NEW YORK —?“Free Chol Soo Lee,” the critically acclaimed film about a Korean immigrant wrongfully convicted of murder and the pan-Asian American social justice movement he inspired, won the Emmy for Outstanding Historical Documentary at the 45th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards on Sept. 26 in New York City.
The film, broadcast and streamed on PBS’ “Independent Lens” last year, beat out a field of heavyweights, including “America and the Taliban” (Frontline), “JFK: One Day in America” (National Geographic), “To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb” (MSNBC Films) and “World War II: From the Front Lines” (Netflix).
Director Julie Ha, producer Su Kim, film narrator Sebastian Yoon, and film participants Ranko Yamada and Sandra Gin took to the stage at the Palladium Times Square to accept the award on behalf of the entire film team, which also includes director Eugene Yi and producers Jean Tsien and Sona Jo (who could not attend the ceremony), as well as the community that inspired the film.
In her speech, Ha, a former Rafu Shimpo reporter, noted that the film grew out of love – love for journalism mentor K.W. Lee, whose articles about the Chol Soo Lee case throughout the 1970s and ’80s helped spark a bold, righteous social justice movement that embraced a poor Korean immigrant man and fought for his freedom. Lee lamented, however, that this remarkable story became forgotten.
“But it was too important to be forgotten,” said Ha. “And thanks to him and the hands of so, so many, we were able to excavate this lost history – which we assert is not just part of Asian American history, but American history, human history – so that it can move and inspire today, just as it did almost 50 years ago.”
The team dedicated the Emmy to Chol Soo Lee, “who suffered too much in this world,” said Ha. “But we hope that your spirit can find peace, Chol Soo, knowing that your story will be spread far and wide, and your legacy will continue.”
Lee, who served nearly 10 years in prison before being released in 1983, died in 2014 at the age of 62.
The team also thanked its public TV partners, “Independent Lens,” PBS, ITVS and CAAM (Center for Asian American Media) and its many supporters, including the community who lived this epic history and entrusted the film team with it.
“This honor goes beyond anything I could have dreamt of, and it’s a testament to the many who came together to make this film possible,” said director Yi. “From those who knew Chol Soo Lee, to all those who supported this project, to the talented collaborators who helped bring the film into the world. This is a testament to that collective action.”
“This Emmy recognition is truly amazing,” said producer Kim, who previously won an Emmy for the 2019 film “Midnight Traveler.” “For too long, the Chol Soo Lee story remained obscure. As a Korean immigrant myself, I was appalled that I hadn’t known about it before working on this film. But we are correcting that now. I think Chol Soo would be proud.”
Chol Soo Lee (center) found himself at the center of an Asian American political movement. When he was released from prison, he was expected to be a community leader.
The Emmy win caps a remarkable journey for the “l(fā)ittle film that could” – a journey that started with its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2022, its successful festival and theatrical run in the U.S., U.K. and South Korea, and its broadcast premiere on PBS’ “Independent Lens” in 2023.
The film, which took six years to make, blends rich archival footage, first-hand 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. The film touches on themes of anti-Asian racism, criminal justice reform, the power of journalism and collective action, and human resilience.
“People are in awe and inspired by [Free Chol Soo Lee],” said Yamada, a leading activist in the landmark movement, and featured prominently in the film. “It’s what we hoped for and more. There’s a current of love throughout that has succeeded.”
“This is a home run for the Free Chol Soo Lee mission,” said K.W. Lee, aged 96, who watched the live-stream of the Emmy win from Sacramento. “Behind prison walls, Chol Soo Lee died a hundred deaths in that living hell. Even in the free world, he endured a thousand deaths. But now, I can see Chol Soo looking down on us from the big California sky with that wan smile.
“I am so proud of everyone involved in the Free Chol Soo Lee pilgrimage. Telepathy was at work! At last, Chol Soo Lee is free.”
Notably, this is not the first time Emmy has honored the Chol Soo Lee story. “Perceptions: A Question of Justice” (KCRA), the first documentary about the case, was produced by Sandra Gin and Tom Nakashima in 1983 and won a regional Sacramento Emmy. Gin’s powerful archival interviews are featured prominently in “Free Chol Soo Lee.”
She joked that, 40 years later, she served as the “Free Chol Soo Lee” film team’s “Emmy fairy godmother.”
The film, which is available to stream until Nov. 14 at pbs.org (search “Free Chol Soo Lee”), was also nominated for Best Documentary and Outstanding Promotional Announcement: Documentary (for the “Independent Lens” teaser).
A complete list of 2024 News & Documentary Emmy winners is available at theemmys.tv.