‘Crazy Rich Asians’ producer on why the film flopped in China
LOS ANGELES: Crazy Rich Asians producer Nina Jacobson figures she knows why the film had flopped in China.
Since its opening at the end of November, It has grossed only US$1.6 million (RM6.72 million) in China.
Reckoned Jacobson: “The Chinese (are) already making movies (with casts) that look like the people who go see them.”
Worldwide, the movie has been making crazy money to the tune of US$237 million (RM995 million), and has scored nominations for Golden Globes and SAG Awards.
Added Jacobson: “Part of it, obviously, is that there is a profound, deep unquenched thirst (in the US) for movies with Asian and Asian-American casts.
“We don’t have it here. They have a lot of representation there and a lot of romantic comedies there. It’s an industry that already makes things for audiences that looks like the people who go to see them.”
Meanwhile, Crazy director Jon Chu is getting more bouquets.
University of Southern California boosters Karen Wong and Scott Lee have established the Jon M. Chu APAA Cinematic Arts Scholarship, which will be awarded to students whose projects focus on Asian Pacific culture in film, television and interactive media.
Marvelled Chu: “I could not be more honoured to have my name included in this beautiful scholarship,. This has been an unbelievable year for me and our community, but Karen Wong and Scott Lee’s generous endowment might be the most important of them all because now that doors are a little more open we are gonna need more directors, writers, storytellers to fill the gap and tell our stories.”
Chu, who graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2003, said that his experience there “is one that I hold very dear to my heart. I met some of my best friends, learned some of my hardest lessons and had some of the most supportive faculty and mentors. So, I am deeply moved by the idea that someone else gets to have that experience that may not have otherwise. It is an honour to be adding to ‘The Jon M. Chu APAA Cinematic Arts Scholarship’ and encourage others who believe in the importance of the AsianAmerican voice to contribute as well for years to come.”