Crazy Rich Asians is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and John Penotti. This film is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan (in Indonesia, the novel is entitled Kaya Tujuh Turunan). The screenplay for the film was written by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim based on Kevin Kwan's novel Crazy Rich Asians. The film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Nico Santos, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong and Michelle Yeoh. The film premiered at the TCL Chinese Theater on August 7, 2018 and was released in the United States on August 15, 2018. This film received positive reviews from critics, because there are many positive things that can be learned and some meanings that occur in life. This time, we will discuss the moral message that occurs in the film in real life.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is a film with a new perspective with see Asia from the other side, especially Southeast Asia which is a third world country which are often seen as underdeveloped, poor, weak and mysterious. In the film Crazy Rich Asians, many take place in Singapore, a place some Westerners may not know. The majority of the population in Singaporeans 74.3% are Chinese, Malays 13.4%, Indians 9.0% and other ethnicities 3.2% (Department of Statistics Singapore, 2018). Singapore is one of the countries in the Southeast Asian region that lacks natural resources, with a background a multi-racial society that lives in harmony makes Singapore a a safe and politically and economically stable environment (Yee, 2009). In this movie describes a lot about Chinese cultural traditions because the majority of the population in Singapore are immigrants from China. But not only China but in some Malay and Indian race scenes are also shown in several scenes in the film.
From this film, the researcher appointed him as the object of research because it is related to Hollywood's depiction of Asian people and how the figure of Eleanor (the mother of Nick Young's character) is depicted as thick with Chinese Asian blooded family culture in her way of thinking, including in raising her children. Eleanor's character who is skeptical of Western culture, even for Asian people who grew up in Western culture, especially America, shows a simple picture of Occidentalism. Where the view of the character Eleanor gives a little picture of the stereotype of Chinese-Singaporean descent against Chinese-American descent which is represented in the film Crazy Rich Asians. Eleanor's cynical attitude that 'represents' the East in looking at culture and all Western thoughts that claim to be open, independent, free, and is the antithesis of the Eastern view that still holds fast to noble cultural values.
Basically, Occidentalism is portrayed through stereotypes Chinese-Singaporeans against Chinese-Americans as well as represented in the character of Eleanor puts the efforts of the people of the East in constructing images, stereotypes, and representations of the West from the perspective of the East, which in the film Crazy Rich Asians is based on the perspective of Asians, especially those of Chinese-Singaporean descent. The description of the Chinese identity that applies to the characters of Crazy Rich Asians is then formed from where the origins or places of residence of these figures are located.
For this reason, Chinese-Singaporean and Chinese-American cultures in Crazy Rich Asians allow different backgrounds from local cultures as well as being depicted in different clothing objects, different behaviors, different traditions, different perspectives and other depictions of values. displayed on different objects. The understandings above show that Chinese-Singaporean and Chinese-American are identities that show ethnicity or personal identity of Chinese people to identify themselves with other Chinese. As an identity, Chinese people wherever they are will be referred to as Chinese, but the perspective, understanding, culture, customs and cultural backgrounds that shape themselves are no longer shaped in the way of Chinese culture but the place where the Chinese are.
The Values of Crazy Rich Asean's Film
- Never, ever give up Struggle for Self-Esteem
- Even though Nick's mother told her that Rachel didn't deserve to be a part of her family, Rachel didn't give up so easily. Wealth is not the only thing that makes a person respected; even if the economic situation is normal, we still need to have a velue that can be self-branding, for example, in this film Rachel with the greatness of his heart, intelligence, and beauty makes her not discouraged to fight for her relationship with Nick who, despite the difference in social status between both, makes her not discouraged to fight for her relationship with Nick.
- Family comes first.
- No matter how wealthy you are, family comes first for most Asian women. In the film, Eleanor is an example of a good mother. She was willing to set aside furthering her education at a young age in order to care for her husband and children until they were successful.
- It isn't always money that makes you happy.
- Everyone wishes to be wealthy. Furthermore, as a Young family, everything is "there." The house is like a kingdom, with a variety of luxury cars, vacations on a private island, and the ability to fly first class. However, a closer examination reveals that the lives of the 'wealthy elite' are not always happy. As in Astrid and her husband's household. Astrid's husband was initially concerned about the disparity in economic status between himself and his wife. Astrid conceals a lot of information because she doesn't want her husband to feel inferior. But it's precisely because Sumi has the heart to have an affair that she is disappointed.
- Avoid being racist.
- When Eleanor Young and her family visited a hotel in London, some hotel staff were taken aback by their appearance. Even the hotel rooms were deliberately fully booked, so they were directed to stay in Chinatown instead. But, who would have guessed, they've went to acquire the hotel! The hotel clerk, and also the manager, were finally shocked and apologized. So, don't judge people simply based on their appearance.
- Trustworthy Friend
- When Rachel arrived in Singapore, she went directly to her best friend's house in America, where they were both studying. Peik Lin is a friend who is always cheerful, loyal, and generous with his assistance. Peik Lin assisted Rachel in preparing the best costume to accompany Nick Young to every event she would attend. When Rachel had to accept harsh words from Nick Young's mother in private, Peik Lin became the person who encouraged Rachel to never give up and to always fight.
