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Why Crazy Rich Asians matters for all Asians, not just Asian Americans

Why Crazy Rich Asians matters for all Asians, not just Asian Americans

It's not representative of every Asian demographic but it's the gateway to more projects with more representation
29 Aug, 2018

Despite opening at #1 in the US and exceeding box office expectations, there have been viewers in mainland Asia that have taken a more sceptical stance towards the Crazy Rich Asians hype.

The argument generally goes something like this:

“This isn’t groundbreaking, we have our own film industries here.”

“How can a movie with Asian in the title claim to show the experiences of people from an entire continent?”

“It’s just a win for Asian-Americans and nothing more than Hollywood hype.”

Though I see where they’re coming from, these points are missing the forest for the trees. China and India are the two most populous countries in the world and have film industries that reflect that, but what are the exact numbers?

The highest grossing Chinese film of all time is Wolf Warrior 2 (2017), which brought in around US$870 million worldwide. India’s highest grossing film, Dangal (2016), has a worldwide gross of just over US$300 million.

Actor and film-maker James Tang takes a look at the negative criticisms of Crazy Rich Asians from around Asia and says you’re all missing the point

When placed on a list of the highest grossing films of all-time, however, these films land at #61 and #438, respectively. To compare, Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and the Incredibles 2 were all released in 2018 and have already reached the top 20.

The rest of this list is populated with giant Hollywood franchises. Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Harry Potter, Jurassic World... you get the picture. The fact is, Hollywood still has the most powerful global marketing and distribution network.

So how does this affect mainland Asians? We have our own film industries and don’t need to worry about the lack of representation that Asian-Americans face. Or do we? These massive blockbusters make their way to countries around the world, but when a film like Infinity War is about Earth’s mightiest heroes protecting the planet against an alien threat and the heroes don’t reflect the demographics of the actual Earth’s population, is that truthful representation?

No groups of Chinese or Indian superheroes were available to fight Thanos? On that note, why haven’t we seen a Middle-Eastern Tony Stark? A Southeast Asian Harry Potter? Though well represented in local Asian cinema, there is still much progress that can be made for Asians (and others) on the international level.

Enter Crazy Rich Asians. It’s the first film produced by a Hollywood studio with a modern, all-Asian cast in 25 years and it’s being given a wide, international release.

People from across the globe will experience all different types of characters without martial arts, refugees, or prostitutes.

Is it representative of every Asian perspective and demographic? No, and it would be impossible to fit all that into a single film, but its success is the gateway to more projects with more representation.

Films do have an impact on society, and the more we can see people from all different ethnicities and cultures portrayed as humans and not stereotypes, the easier it will be to humanize, learn from one another, and grow. At the very least, maybe we can get some more Asian superheroes.


Asia News Network

Originally published in Dawn, August 29th, 2018

Comments

MSS Aug 29, 2018 11:42am
Grossing comparisons are unfair and faulty. The basic difference is the ticket pricing. In the richer countries like the US and other western economies, the per capita is far higher than China or India and the tickets are more expensive. A better comparison would be calculations made using international dollars(PPP).
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JA-Australia Aug 29, 2018 12:19pm
Who are the Indian characters of note in this movie? Despite the official definition of the term Asian-American, the fact is that, for most Americans, the word "Asian" refers to Chinese and East Asians, not Indians. The stereotypes, good and bad, around "Asian-American" also apply to Chinese and East Asians, not to Indians.
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Najum Aug 29, 2018 01:34pm
Netflix promotion.
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Potel Aug 29, 2018 02:37pm
Chinese companies are buying up Hollywood companies and introduce atleast one Chinese character in the Hollywood movie. Just as yester year Hollywood movies had atleast one black character in a movie to attract blacks to watch a movie, Chinese with ownership in Hollywood companies ensure they are in the English movies too.
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Hassan (Karachi) Aug 29, 2018 03:21pm
"No groups of Chinese or Indian superheroes were available to fight Thanos?..." The author is clearly not a comic book reader. Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel a Pakistani-American is a very popular character who is part of team Avenger and Champions. True, she isn't in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). Though Captain Marvel (her predecessor) on the other hand should make an appearance in Infinity Wars 2. You need to have Batman before you have a Robin. There are so many critical characters not in the MCU (Mr. Fantastic, Professor Xavier, Black Bolt, Namor etc.). It's easy to criticize not having Asian Characters, you have to consider costs and the fact that will they be given the respect in representation in the movie.
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Sincere View Aug 29, 2018 08:15pm
@JA-Australia This article is by Asia News Network (ANN), which is a coalition of 22 leading news organisations from South, Southeast and Northeast Asia. The network covers a region of over 2 billion people across 20 countries. Through the network, members pool resources and expertise to offer in-depth coverage of regional and international issues by presenting local viewpoints on complex topics. The current managing editor is Cod Satrusayang
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man a Aug 30, 2018 01:36am
haha
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Jonathan Menezes -San Diego CA Aug 30, 2018 07:55am
"Asians" in America are more Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans & Pakistanis & Indians are more "desi" a term for South Asians. In fact Hollywood would discriminate in the past using Asians as terrorist, or domestic help and other low grades of characters. So Asians are now making films and trying to create a new genre of films and show and this is proving lucrative and where the money is Hollywood will follow!
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RIF Aug 31, 2018 07:59pm
@JA-Australia stop complaining go and write your own book with Indians in it, make your own movie with Indians in it, and when a Hollywood producer or studio tells you your ethnic characters wont sell in the box office? you can use CRA as an example it will
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