The prestigious Emmy Awards have recently announced their nominees, and the documentary “Free Chol Soo Lee,”” which tells the story of Lee, a Korean immigrant wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, has been nominated in three categories.
This documentary has been listed as a finalist in the “Best Documentary,” “Outstanding Historical Documentary,” and “Outstanding Promotional Announcement” categories for the upcoming 45th News & Documentary Emmy Awards, which will take place in New York this September.
“Free Chol Soo Lee” recounts the life of 21-year-old Korean immigrant Lee, who was arrested and sentenced to death in 1973 for a fatal shooting in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The documentary highlights the racial discrimination perpetrated by the police and judicial system and the Korean and Asian American community’s campaign to exonerate Lee.
Directed by Julie Ha, former editor-in-chief of KoreAm Journal, and Eugene Yi, a filmmaker with credits at the New York Times, the documentary meticulously records the events while delivering a powerful message about the community through Lee’s story. The film received critical acclaim from mainstream media and was released in South Korea last year.
In an interview with the Korea Daily on July 26, Director Ha expressed her gratitude towards the Korean community for their support and contributions, which were pivotal in the documentary’s production. “We’ve been receiving numerous calls, and I attribute our success to the Korean community who generously provided photos, films, and records,” Ha said.
The following is an edited excerpt from the interview:
– How do you feel about the nominations?
“It’s incredible and overwhelming to have been nominated in three categories. When we heard the news, our team was thrilled, saying, ‘Our small film did it.’ I’m especially grateful to co-director Eugene Yi and our producers Su Kim, Jean Tsien, and Sona Jo. Now that we are nominated, we hope to win at least one award. (laughs) We’re very excited about the results.”
– What does being an Emmy nominee mean to you?
“It means the world is now aware of our film. (laughs) Seriously, it signifies that our story has been recognized globally and that the history of Korean and Asian Americans will be remembered as part of American history. Just being nominated gives us tremendous encouragement.”
– What motivated you to make this documentary?
“It took six long years for Chol Soo Lee to be exonerated from a wrongful murder conviction. The united voice and strength of the Korean and Asian communities brought justice. Lee’s story is not just part of Korean American history but also a crucial piece of Asian American history in the U.S. We couldn’t let his story remain buried.”
– What challenges did you face during production?
“It took us six years to complete the film. Finding the materials was daunting, but the Korean community’s help was invaluable. Many had preserved newspaper clippings, photos, and videos from that time, including the Korea Daily. Without their contributions, we couldn’t have made such a meaningful film. This film was inspired and made possible by the community, and on behalf of the team, I extend my gratitude.”
– Any message for the Korean community?
“Our team has had an incredible journey from Sundance Film Festival to PBS’s ‘Independent Lens,’ and now to being nominated for the Emmys. Through this journey, we hope Lee’s brave and righteous fight, which inspired the Korean and Asian communities, will be remembered for a long time. We also hope the film inspires the new generation to stand up for justice and support today’s ‘Chol Soo Lees.’”
BY NICOLE CHANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [chang.nicole@koreadaily.com]
