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?
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?
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!