At the TCL Chinese Theatre, Crazy Rich Asians premiered in LA. Quite literally, in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard, the street had been shut down, and many fans lined against the barricades to try and get a peak of the stars of the film.
After the initial drop of the trailer, many people were eager to watch the film. Kevin Kwan’s novel movie adaption is the first Hollywood film in 25 years to feature an all Asian cast. The excitement from the cast and fans was contagious to everyone who was present.
The Knockturnal: There’s a quote from the director Jon M. Chu that really stuck out to me saying that this is “more than a movie…it’s a movement”. Can you speak about the movement that has been launched with this film?
Janice Koh: Well you know, I think that the movie will have an important role to play in terms of normalizing the Asian face on screen. Changing mindsets and perspectives about Asian beauty, for example, Asian storytelling. If that happens, I hope it has some repercussions in Hollywood in terms of diverse casting.
Jing Lusi: I just think that there are so many individual people that are booking out theaters for this film that we don’t even know! It’s absolutely amazing, and thank you to anyone who is doing that. We knew it was going to be huge so we’re not surprised. I think we’re just so overwhelmed at the love and how many people are embracing this-not just Asians. I think everyone is just so supportive that this is time. Everyone is behind it and it’s just representing minorities and there is so much going on in the world right now that makes you feel underrepresented and isolated and this film is saying “No guys, it’s cool to be whoever you are”.
Victoria Loke: I think that as an actor you feel that so clearly on the ground. You walk into a casting room and you see the scripts now, and they are portraying Asian characters slowly but surely in a way that is more multi-dimensional than the token characters. Walking around you see a lot more media in a way that is portraying diverse communities in a more authentic and accurate light. You can feel it and it’s coming slowly but surely.
Jimmy O. Yang: One of the best parts of this movie is the cultural experience and the phenomenon that is much bigger than us individually.
The Knockturnal: Were you aware from the start just how influential and important this film would prove to be?
Janice Koh: Yes. I think from the get-go, there was a reason so many Asians wanted to audition and were sending in there self-tapes from the movie. We knew it was going to be an important film.
Jing Lusi: I think as an Asian actor in the UK, every actor knew about it and wanted to be a part of it. There’s very limited roles, even with such a big cast, there’s still a limited amount. I know they were doing open casting, which I think is such a brilliant idea! Acting is not synonymous with Asian families! You want to go to law school or be a doctor. So there were so many people that saw this as their shot. I just couldn’t be more proud. I’m so lucky. I probably would be watching this at home full of jealousy if I wasn’t in it!!
Victoria Loke: Not yet! I didn’t when I was still filming it! I thought you know, “We’ll see how it’s goes!” And as it kept building up the momentum kept building up and then the trailer was released. And then people were going crazy over the trailer and it’s just amazing.
Ronny Chieng: We had a feeling on set, but I tried to stay focused on the day to day because everything else is out of our control. But we had a feeling on set that we were making something special. You could feel it in the air that there was something special.
Jimmy O. Yang: I think I intellectualized it on paper. I mean yes, it’s the first one in 25 years with an all Asian cast. But when you emotionally get connected to it and you’re actually seeing what’s happening, AND it’s actually a great movie- it just feels great.
Make sure to watch Crazy Rich Asians this Wednesday, August 15!