Tune in to hear Rollye James, long-time radio talk show host discuss “Who Are China’s Walking Dead?”, a new book (now available for purchase) published by author and filmmaker Kay Rubacek.
New Book Reveals the Strange World of China’s Regime Officials
When documentary filmmaker, Kay Rubacek of Swoop Films, began interviewing former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials for her award-winning movie, Finding Courage, she was shocked when they described themselves as the “Walking Dead.”
Positivity Sells in Movies
The article, Do films with positive messages make more money than those without? by Stephen Follows, a data researcher in the film industry analyzed 4,271 films and sought to find correlations to their financial success and their levels of positivity.
Cross Roads Host Joshua Philipp Discusses Kay Rubacek's New Book "Who Are China's Walking Dead?"
To gain deeper insights into the power struggles within the Chinese leadership, and the culture and thinking among its top leaders, Cross Roads spoke with Kay Rubacek of Swoop Films about her new book “Who Are China’s Walking Dead?”
"Finding Courage" Wins Best Feature Film from the Jersey Shore Film Festival!
We at Swoop Films are excited to announce that “Finding Courage” won the Audience Choice Award for the best feature film at the Jersey Shore Film Festival!
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.
Real to Reel Film Festival Reviews of “Finding Courage"
"What a fascinating story. Powerful, intriguing and tough to watch at times. When you witness stories like this, it can remind you to appreciate what you have. Great shots, structure and technical production value."
"An insightful look into an issue that people need to be more aware about."
A Photo Smuggled out of China Reveals a Desperate Appeal
Here is an image we obtained in producing our latest film “Finding Courage” with quite a story to tell. It is of Yifei (the main character in our documentary) on Tiananmen Square in 2001 holding a banner to appeal to Chinese Communist authorities to stop the persecution of Falun Gong.
“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."
Kay Rubacek, Director of "Finding Courage" Interviewed by Steve Bannon on War Room Pandemic
Host of War Room Pandemic, Steve Bannon, interviews Director of “Finding Courage,” Kay Rubacek, to discuss the film, the Chinese Communist Party, and U.S. politicians willingness to turn a blind eye to their human rights abuses for financial gain.
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
"Finding Courage" wins The American Film Award!
Years of painstaking work went into “Finding Courage” to tell Yifei and her family’s story to the best of our ability. It is a story of the human spirit, togetherness, and hope that we knew we needed to share with the world. We are honored “Finding Courage” had been acclaimed by The American Film Awards!
Freedom United Partners With ETAC to End Organ Harvesting
Great news!
Freedom United, the largest modern slavery/human trafficking community globally is partnering with The International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC) on a forced organ harvesting/organ trafficking campaign.
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.
Persecution and Perseverance: Kicking the Seat Interviews "Finding Courage Director Kay Rubacek
Ian talks with director and activist Kay Rubacek, whose feature documentary debut, FINDING COURAGE, looks at exiled journalist Yifei Wang's fight for justice against the Chinese Communist Party--who imprisoned and murdered her sister following a 2001 Falun Gong protest.
VISION TIMES: The Making of Finding Courage
In many ways, the documentary Finding Courage is an accidental film. Its director, Kay Rubacek from Swoop Films initially, never sought to make it a full-length feature.
Having just finished producing the award-winning Hard to Believe documentary — about forced organ harvesting in China — Kay was looking to make her directorial debut with a short 10-minute film.
DEEP DIVE on The 1989 Tiananmen Massacre: How China’s Regime Justifies Slaughter
Marking the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4th, 1989, the Chinese Communist regime's sinister treatment of young Hong Kong protesters now provides the world another glimpse into the criminal minds operating the world's largest dictatorship. Hosted by Swoop Films producer, Kay Rubacek.