Asia Society at the Movies: In the Heights
VIEW EVENT DETAILSSpecial Preview Screening at AMC Century City 15
Ahead of its release in theaters and on HBO Max, join Asia Society Southern California for a special preview screening of In the Heights to be followed by an exclusive conversation featuring director Jon M. Chu with Academy Governor-at-Large Janet Yang.
In the Heights
The creator of Hamilton and the director of Crazy Rich Asians invite you to In the Heights, a cinematic event where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big. Lights up on Washington Heights … the scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines, and sings about a better life.
In the Heights fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M. Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience.
Based on the Tony Award-winning hit musical by Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes of the same name, the highly anticipated film adaptation promises to be the must-see film of the summer.
“You can’t change the world if they don’t want to change. But never underestimate the power of planting a seed. I believe that this movie is an amazingly beautiful seed that can change a lot of minds.” — Jon M. Chu
Genre: Musical/Drama
Duration: 143 minutes
Director: Jon M. Chu
Language: English
Writers: Quiara Alegría Hudes, based on the musical stage play, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, and concept by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Producers: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Scott Sanders, Anthony Bregman, Mara Jacobs
Executive Producers: David Nicksay, Kevin McCormick
Principal Cast: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Jimmy Smits
Speakers
Jon M. Chu is known for his visually stunning blockbuster films, as well as his kinetic work across various genres, from groundbreaking series to commercials and films. He directed the worldwide phenomenon “Crazy Rich Asians,” which was nominated for numerous awards, including a SAG Award, a Golden Globe, and PGA Award. The film has earned more than $175 million in the United States alone, with a worldwide gross of almost $240 million, making it one of the top 10 highest grossing romantic comedies of all time. It was the first contemporary studio picture in more than 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast, and it represents a new chapter in Chu's 10-year career. Chu most recently served as an executive producer and director on Home Before Dark, for Apple, which premiered April 3, 2020. The series was inspired by the true story of 11-year-old investigative reporter Hilde Lysiak and stars Jim Sturgess and Brooklynn Prince. Home Before Dark will return for a second season on June 11, 2021 on Apple TV+, with ten episodes that will release week-to-week each Friday, which Chu executive produced. Upcoming, Chu helmed his most ambitious project to date, the highly anticipated adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights for Warner Bros. Studios, which will also be released June 11, 2021. Chu will next direct Universal’s Wicked, the feature-film adaptation of the record-breaking musical phenomenon that is in its 17th smash-hit year on Broadway. Chu’s previous credits include Step Up 2: The Streets, GI. Joe: Retaliation, Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never and many more representing over 1.3 billion dollars in the worldwide box office. Additionally, his unique storytelling ability has earned him the honor of being on the Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100 list as well as Variety’s New Hollywood Leaders.
Janet Yang is a Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winning Hollywood producer with deep roots in China. Yang is a member of the Board of Governors of the Motion Picture Academy, as well as an officer chairing the Membership and Governance Committee. Yang has worked with some of the most formidable directors and actors in the world. She came to prominence through her collaboration with Steven Spielberg on Empire of the Sun (Warner Bros., 1987). That was followed by a long partnership with multiple Academy Award-winner Oliver Stone—where she served as executive producer on the iconic The Joy Luck Club (Disney, 1993), and as a producer on the Golden Globe-winning The People vs. Larry Flynt (Columbia Pictures, 1996). Her latest film is Over the Moon (2020), an animated feature based on her original story inspired by the Chinese moon goddess. Iconic animator Glen Keane directs the movie for Netflix and Pearl Studios. Committed to fostering global understanding, Yang has been a long-standing member of the Committee of 100, an organization of the most prominent Chinese Americans; an advisory board member of Asia Society Southern California where she also chairs its highly regarded U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit; and co-founder of Gold House, the non-profit collective of the most influential Asian cultural leaders. She was also recently appointed as a presidential fellow at Loyola Marymount University.
This program is presented by Asia Society Museum and Asia Society Southern California as part of Asia Society at the Movies, a series that showcases a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora.
This program and screening are made possible by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Asia Society at the Movies
Asia Society is proud to present Asia Society at the Movies, a new series of film screenings and conversations showcasing a broad range of films and filmmakers from across Asia and the Asian diaspora. Asia Society at the Movies celebrates established and emerging voices, contemporary films and classics, and documentaries. The series builds on Asia Society’s long and rich history of film programming. This initiative also serves to deepen understanding of Asian cultures—a core part of Asia Society’s mission since its creation. Learn more about the Asia Society at the Movies initiative.
About Asia Society Museum
Asia Society Museum presents a wide range of traditional, modern, and contemporary exhibitions of Asian and Asian American art, taking new approaches to familiar masterpieces and introducing under-recognized arts and artists. The Asia Society Museum Collection comprises a traditional art collection, including the initial bequests of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd, and a contemporary art collection. Through exhibitions and public programs, Asia Society provides a forum for the issues and viewpoints reflected in both traditional and contemporary Asian art and in Asia today.
About Asia Society Southern California
Established in Los Angeles in 1985, Asia Society Southern California (ASSC) is ideally situated at the gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. ASSC has played a pivotal role through creative programs and activities in increasing shared knowledge, enhancing dialogue, and furthering cultural exchanges transcending regional boundaries. As part of the global Asia Society, which was founded more than 60 years ago in New York City, ASSC has launched many creative initiatives and programs addressing current issues of importance across the fields of the arts, culture, policy, business, and education.
Event Details
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