“The movie is extraordinary,” said Sophie York, a lecturer at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. “I’ve been slightly traumatized watching it … It’s so well researched and so tenderly put together.”
Read the full article HERE
"Finding Courage" Review - From the Heart Productions
Writer, journalist, webcaster, and actor Don Scwartz wrote a detailed review of our latest documentary “Finding Courage” on From the Heart Productions, an organization dedicated to assisting filmmakers. Check out the review below!
Get More of the Backstory on "Finding Courage" in an Interview with Kay Rubacek on Rogue Ways Podcast
A wonderful interview with Lindsey Quorri Sharmyn on her channel, Rogue Ways. The interview touches on Kay’s backstory and what led her to produce “Finding Courage, ”the process of making of the film, and more depth into the story behind it and the family that risked everything to bring what they suffered in China to light.
"Finding Courage" Director Kay Rubacek and Singer Mika Hale Interview on NBC Palm Springs
Director Kay Rubacek and singer Mika Hale who added her voice to the “Courage is Found” theme song for "Finding Courage" were interviewed by Sandie Newton on NBC Palm Springs. Wonderful interviews! Check them out!
Vision Times - Mika Hale Gives a Voice to the Voiceless in the song "Courage is Found"
“This song for me, is an anthem to all. When I hear this song, it makes me feel I can bring hope, faith, and courage to others.”
"Finding Courage" Wins BEST DOCUMENTARY at the Reel East Texas Film Festival!
“Finding Courage” won “Best Documentary” and the Jury Award in the Reel East Texas Film Festival! Hosted by filmmakers for filmmakers, the vision of Reel East Texas is to be a catalyst for growth of an independent film industry. Thank you for the honors!
Listen Now: “Courage is Found” - A Song for Your Soul
We have released the music video for the hit theme song, “Courage is Found,” from our movie “Finding Courage”, sung by the beautiful voice of Mika Hale for you to enjoy as a big thank you for all of your support! We know the song will lift your spirits!
"The movie was so touching... I cried so many times while watching it." - College Students Moved by "Finding Courage"
The Students for Falun Gong organization recently held two screenings of “Finding Courage” with Director of the film, Kay Rubacek giving a Q&A after. There were over 200 attendees between the two screenings.
"Finding Courage" Exclusive Live Q&A with Producer Kay Rubacek - Crossroads with Joshua Philipp
Joshua Philipp hosts a special Live Q&A with the producer Kay Rubacek, Director of “Finding Courage.”
A Deeper Dive Into "Finding Courage" with Interview by Manny the Movie Guy on NBC Palm Springs!
Filmmaker Kay Rubacek created an eye-opening documentary about the persecution of Falun Gong in China in the film “Finding Courage.” The documentary follows three siblings who were arrested during the persecution of Falun Gong and how they find the courage to speak truth to power under a communist regime.
The “Finding Courage” Insider Translation Process
Over a period of 18 months, we found and interviewed close to thirty CCP insiders, including a handful of particularly high-ranking officials. We wanted them to share their experiences candidly. Many mainland Chinese, after having lived under Communist rule, have developed habits of being guarded in what they say. One wrong word could end their career, themselves, and their families.
“Reel Conversations" with Kay Rubacek, Director of "Finding Courage"
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers responsible for some of the official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Kay Rubacek, writer/director for "Finding Courage."
Filming at the Infamous Alcatraz Prison
We wanted to get a sense of what the inside of a Chinese prison is like. Yifei and Leo had tried to describe it to us but it was still difficult to understand. We suggested we take a look at an American prison to compare and they agreed.
Bring Your Fishing Pole - "Finding Courage” Screens at the Woods Hole Film Festival off Cape Cod July 25th - Aug 1st
Actually, leave your fishing pole at home. The Woods Hole Film Festival will be online this year due to Covid-19. Check out their website for more info!
Woods Hole Film Festival Website
Woods Hole Film Festival review of “Finding Courage:”
"When programming for the Woods Hole Film Festival, we look for films that are interesting, that look at issues from a unique perspective and focus on important, conversational topics. FINDING COURAGE offers a heartbreaking and personal perspective on an issue not many in the US are familiar with. The programming team was incredibly impressed with the depth of the storytelling in the film and believed it was an important story that we are honored to share as part of the festival line up this year."
~ Woods Hole Film Festival Coordinator, Hannah Garfield
Woods Hole Online Film Festival Online Access How-To: HERE
Filming in Beautiful San Francisco Chinatown
Great food, great location! Here are some images from our film shoot in San Fran’s Chinatown for our upcoming film “Finding Courage” we thought we’d share. Enjoy!
Introducing "China's Walking Dead," a Book by Swoop Films
With the many complexities of society in Communist China, with every facet of life being dictated by the Party, including all of its media outlets they use to mold Chinese citizens, we had to find ex-Chinese Communist officials who were willing to share their stories for our upcoming film "Finding Courage."
"Courage is Found" Music Video Sneak Peek!
We're excited to announce that we have collaborated with some truly amazing people for an original theme song for our upcoming movie, "Finding Courage"! The song is called "Courage Is Found" and features the powerful voice of Mika Hale and is produced by Swoop Films with the brilliant Sterling Campbell and Adrian Morales-Demori and Malury Imbernon of Heiga Studios.
Journal of Political Risk Reviews "Finding Courage"
“A hard-hitting documentary about the unimaginable repression under which people of faith suffer in China. The harrowing story follows a loving family as they risk everything to get undercover footage that will bring to the world the truth of their daughter's brutal torture and death in a Communist labor camp.”
~ Anders Corr, Ph.D., Journal of Political Risk
European Documentary Magazine published a very detailed review of our soon-to-be-released film "Finding Courage." Check it out!
The Agonizing Campaign for Truth
"Essential viewing for anyone who cares about international human rights."
~ Nick Holdsworth, Modern Times
Hard-Hitting Feature Documentary on China-US Relations Available Now for Media Review
New York: May 8, 2020. For Immediate Release
Due to widespread film festival cancellations and postponements, Swoop Films is inviting media, bloggers, and V.I.P.s to review the award-winning film, “Finding Courage” directly from the filmmakers.
“‘Finding Courage’ is a story about real people in America whose lives are being hurt by the decisions of the Chinese regime. With tense China-US relations due to the current pandemic, audiences want stories about China and how it is affecting our lives in the rest of the world,” says producer/director Kay Rubacek, who has first-hand experience of being locked in a Chinese prison cell, and is also available for an interview.
“Finding Courage” is 80 minutes long and in English (with few subtitles). It is narrated by the beautiful voice of Lea B. Olsen, former Big Ten basketball player and ESPN broadcaster for the WNBA. The film’s story follows former Chinese journalist, Yifei Wang, living in exile in the United States, who is desperate to reunite her broken family and get justice for the murder of her sister. However, her choices mean the difference between life and death for her family who are still in China.
The film includes rare interviews with former Chinese regime officials including a former director of a Chinese labor camp, a secret agent, and an official for China's propaganda department. All of the interviewees are risking their personal safety, and that of their family, by providing testimony in this film.
The film has won a Gold Remi Award from the Houston International Film Festival, and received official selection from Arizona Film Festival and Jersey Shore Film Festival, however many festivals are on hold due to pandemic restrictions.
The filmmakers are especially thankful to Grammy Award-winning engineer Adrian Morales-Demori who lead the film’s audio post at Heiga Studios, Bruce Aronson and Francis Galluccio (who has written songs for major artists including Jessica Simpson, and Celine Dion) who created the original score for the film, phenomenal singer Mika Hale, and Sterling Campbell (musician for David Bowie and B52’s) who produced the soon-to-be-released “Courage Is Found” theme song for the film.
To review "Finding Courage" email: hello@swoopfilms.com
Movie trailer: www.FindingCourageMovie.com
Press kit: https://www.swoopfilms.com/press-kit
Press Inquiries: Tim@swoopfilms.com