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'Crazy Rich Asians' Kicks Off the Fall KCET Cinema Series on August 14

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Q&A immediately following with director Jon M. Chu

Based on the acclaimed worldwide bestseller by Kevin Kwan, the contemporary romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” has the potential to be a watershed moment for Asian representation in film. In fact, it’s the first major Hollywood production that isn’t a period piece to have an all-Asian cast in 25 years. It’s an alternative version of “Meet the Parents,” except the main antagonist is an ultra-rich mother who has mastered the disdainful side-eye. Most importantly? It’s an entire movie about Asians without stereotypical tropes like martial arts and nerds.

The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick's family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life…namely that he is the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families as well as one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can’t buy love, it can definitely complicate things.

“Crazy Rich Asians” features an international cast of stars, led by Constance Wu (“Fresh Off the Boat”), Gemma Chan (“Humans”), Lisa Lu (“2012”), and Awkwafina (upcoming “Ocean’s 8,” “Neighbors 2”), with Ken Jeong (the “Hangover” films”) and Michelle Yeoh (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”). The large starring ensemble also includes Henry Golding, making his feature film debut. In a 2015 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the book’s author, Kevin Kwan, said he hoped the film would have “equal representation in terms of Singapore stars, Hong Kong stars, Asian American stars, mainland Chinese stars.” Jon M. Chu, the director, tweeted that he planned to have “amazing Asian actors cast in EVERY SINGLE ROLE.” It’s fair to say that they got what they wanted.

Filmed entirely on location in Singapore and Malaysia, “Crazy Rich Asians” will be released in theaters on August 15 by Warner Bros Pictures. The film’s director Jon M. Chu will be in attendance for a Q&A session immediately following the screening with host and Deadline film critic Pete Hammond, who can also be seen in KCET’s Must See Movies. The fall season of the KCET Cinema Series is generously sponsored by Deadline.com. The season begins on August 14 and runs through October 9.. Season passes are available online via Eventbriteand individual admissions are available at the door for $30 each.

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