Crazy Rich Asians (Jon M. Chu, 2018) is on Sunday 21 July. Image: NFSA.
PG | 120 Mins | 2018 | DCP |MY, SGP, US | D: Jon M. Chu
A cultural phenomenon, Kevin Kwan’s 2013 satirical bestseller Crazy Rich Asians garnered international accolades and led to two sequential novels as well as Jon M. Chu’s 2018 blockbuster.
The story follows the unwitting Rachel Chu, a young woman struggling to find her place in her fiancé’s family after discovering that they are, in fact, astronomically wealthy. Chu’s adaptation breathes new life into familiar fish-out-of-water tropes, with humour, extravagance and an outstanding cast including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michele Yeoh, Gemma Chan and Awkwafina.
A major studio production centred on Asia, with a majority cast of Chinese descent, Crazy Rich Asians broke new ground in the romantic comedy genre, soaring at the box office to become one of the highest-grossing rom-coms of all time.
‘…both a fun culture clash comedy and a watershed moment for representation in Hollywood” – The Guardian
The screening will be followed by a discussion of the film and the novel, with special guest Mimi Kwa.
Mimi Kwa has been a media personality for 25 years. The first woman of Asian heritage on Channel Nine, Kwa has anchored news to 40 countries and interviewed influential figures from around the globe. Her bestselling memoir House of Kwa (2021) is being released internationally by HarperCollins US and UK in 2024 and is in the early stages of screen adaptation. Kwa has also been a contributing writer for publications including Mamamia, SBS and New Idea. Mimi has been a media personality for 25 years. Her bestselling memoir HOUSE OF KWA (2021) is being released internationally by HarperCollins US and UK in 2024 and is in the early stages of screen adaptation.
Qin Qin (formerly Lisa Qin) is the author of Model Minority Gone Rogue, and the Asian Collections Coordinator at the National Library of Australia. She grew up in Canberra as a first-generation Chinese Australian. When she turned five, she began her career as a ‘good immigrant’ poster child. By 29, she was an (exhausted) Harvard graduate with four degrees working for UNICEF. After many life crises, Qin Qin realised life wasn’t an exam to ace. She wrote a memoir about what happened next and how she veered off-script. Qin Qin lives in Canberra with her partner James and golden retriever Oprah. Her life mission is to live consciously with love, towards a more peaceful and sustainable world.
A discounted season pass is available for Book Club at the NFSA, presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival.
The Details
What: Crazy Rich Asians screening + discussion
When: Sunday 21 July 2024, 1 pm
Where: NFSA Acton (Arc Cinema) – 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton ACT 2601
Cost: $18–20. Book tickets.
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