‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Director and Cast Buy Out Theaters For Awkwafina’s ‘The Farewell’

“Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu and the hit film’s cast expressed their support for Awkwafina’s new film “The Farewell” by buying out theaters as part of the #GoldOpen movement.

The initiative, which aims to ensure opening weekend success for films featuring people of color, has recently become a tradition of sorts among Asian American artists in Hollywood.

Like “Crazy Rich Asians,” many have praised “The Farewell” as another groundbreaking Hollywood movie for Asian representation.

On Thursday, Chu revealed on Twitter that he bought out a theater in New York City for a Saturday screening of “The Farewell.”

Free movie in NYC!! I Loved @theFarewell so much, I bought out a theatre to share it with YOU…Tickets on me, first come first serve. Come join me at 3.45pm THIS Saturday 7/20 at AMC Lincoln Square. Can’t wait to meet you all. #GoldOpen @awkwafina @thumbelulu @a24 @goldhouseco pic.twitter.com/aZ8Y5CxVNa
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) July 19, 2019

In response to Chu’s gesture, “The Farewell” director Lulu Wang replied with a tweet to express her appreciation.

Jon!!! You are the 🐐!!! Wish I was in NY so I could come hang with you at this screening! Thank you so so much… ♥️♥️♥️
— Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) July 19, 2019

Meanwhile, comedian Jimmy Yang shared on his Instagram account that the stars of “Crazy Rich Asians” bought out a venue in Los Angeles for a Sunday screening.

Earlier this month, South Korean singer Tiffany Young also reserved an LA theater for her fans in support of “Asian American women in film.”

supporting Asian American women in film. @awkwafina @thumbelulu #thefarewell #goldopen @goldhouseco i reserved this theater in LA for my fans to see this movie on opening weekend for free 🎥❤️ pic.twitter.com/oRz1ErLzzf
— TIFFANY YOUNG (@tiffanyyoung) July 11, 2019

Ice skating phenomenon Maia and Alex Shibutani also hosted their own screening with Kevin Lin in LA.

Come see THE FAREWELL directed by @thumbelulu, starring @awkwafina!
TODAY @ 4:45pm ArcLight Hollywood (Los Angeles) Let’s give @thefarewell a #GoldOpen! pic.twitter.com/4fK58UsYl8 — ShibSibs (@ShibSibs) July 13, 2019

Currently on limited release, the new film features Awkwafina as artist Billi as she and her Chinese family deal with her grandmother’s stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.

The film is slowly being released in more theaters before its nationwide launch in August.

“The Farewell” has found some initial success, drawing in $351,330 when it opened in four theaters between NYC and Los Angeles. The feat also places the film ahead of the blockbuster hit “Avengers: Endgame” for the box office record for best per-screen-average of 2019.

Featured Image via Instagram / jonmchu

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