Having moved from Korea to the San Fransico neighborhood of Chinatown in the 1960s as the only Korean kid in the community with no English communication skills, Chol Soo Lee found himself known as an “at-risk youth.” A decade later, the 20-something immigrant was racially profiled and convicted of the murder of local gang member Yip Yee Tak.
While Lee maintained his innocence, being convicted of first-degree murder landed him in one of California’s most dangerous and violent facilities for life. While incarcerated, he was defending himself against another inmate, killing him, which found him now on death row. This is where investigative journalist K. W. Lee takes an interest in the case.
Nearly five decades after Lee’s imprisonment, “Free Chol Soo Lee” weaves archival footage, first-hand accounts, and narration from Lee’s writings to tell a complicated and largely unknown story in American history that led to an unprecedented social justice movement.
Having premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, the emotional film, directed by filmmakers Julie Ha and Eugene Yi, highlights Lee’s journey from outcast landing behind bars to reentering a society that now views him as a beacon of the community. “Free Chol Soo Lee” will see a limited release in theatres on August 12, 2022, and a national release on August 17 via Mubi.
You can watch an exclusive clip and trailer below ahead of the release.