The award-winning documentary is now available to watch at FreeJimmyLai.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND RAPIDS (APRIL 21, 2023) — The Acton Institute is proud to announce that its documentary film “The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom” surpassed 250,000 streaming views in less than 72 hours after its worldwide online release.
The award-winning documentary feature, which tells the story of Jimmy Lai, the newspaper publisher and pro-democracy and human rights activist in Hong Kong, has struck a chord with audiences around the world, resonating with the universal human desire for freedom.
Rev. Robert A. Sirico, Acton’s president emeritus, executive producer of the film, and a personal friend of Jimmy Lai, commented on the remarkable success of the documentary: “The incredible response to ‘The Hong Konger’ demonstrates the importance of the fight for freedom in Hong Kong, and the powerful impact that one individual can have on a movement. Jimmy Lai’s story is a reminder that the struggle for liberty is ongoing and that it requires constant vigilance and determination. We are proud to have been able to share this inspiring story with audiences around the world and humbled to see that so many people have already found it engaging and inspiring. We hope millions see this film and feel moved to lend their voices to the fight for freedom in Hong Kong and around the world.”
The film takes viewers on a journey through the life of Jimmy Lai, from his humble beginnings as a factory worker to his rise as a successful businessman and advocate for democracy in Hong Kong. Currently, Lai is awaiting trial under Hong Kong’s CCP-imposed so-called National Security Law. The film also sheds light on the ongoing struggle for freedom in Hong Kong, which has been under threat from the Chinese government’s increasing authoritarianism and crackdown on dissent.
The film won “Best Documentary” at the 2022 Anthem Libertarian Film Festival and “Best Feature Documentary: Social Rights Subject” at the 2023 American Filmatic Arts Awards.
The full 73-minute film is now available for viewing on demand at FreeJimmyLai.com.
For interviews, contact Eric Kohn: [email protected].
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ABOUT “THE HONG KONGER”:
THE HONG KONGER: JIMMY LAI’S EXTRAORDINARY STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM is a documentary by the Acton Institute. When Hong Kong’s basic freedoms come under attack, newspaper publisher and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai finds himself in the crosshairs of the state and must choose between defending Hong Kong’s long-standing liberties and his own freedom. The award-winning film debuted globally on April 18, 2023. The film and other information are available at FreeJimmyLai.com.
ABOUT THE ACTON INSTITUTE:
The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ecumenical think tank located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1990, the Institute works internationally to “promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.” For more information, visit acton.org.