Erik Matti criticizes ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for bad direction, ‘white man’s view of Asians’

Henry Golding and Constance Wu on the poster of “Crazy Rich Asians.” Image: Crazy Rich Asians via AFP

Erik Matti isn’t crazy for “Crazy Rich Asians”.

The award-winning director of “BuyBust” and “On the Job” took to Instagram yesterday, Nov. 11 to express his sentiments on the film which premiered in the Philippines last August. The post has since been deleted.

Image: Screengrab via Instagram/@erikmatti

“No matter how successful this #CrazyRichAsian movie is, it’s still just a piece of old-school 90’s style TV movie,” he said.

“Caricature acting, white man’s view on Asians, cliche insights wrapped in flashy modern parties, tita sensibilities, bad direction.”

“This is no ‘Pretty Woman’! Far from it. But who can argue with success? That’s why everyone here I think wants to make a version of this here.”

Actor John Arcilla, known for his portrayal in “Heneral Luna” said he hadn’t seen it, but based on the trailer felt that it was “cliche.” He also mentioned that they are going to work on a project in Baguio and that he is excited about it.

Meanwhile, singer Janno Gibbs said, “Nagandahan naman ako @erikmatti sori [smiling emoji] (I liked it sorry).”

Image: Screengrab via Instagram/@erikmatti

Previously, Gibbs said he hoped local rom-coms would become more well-known abroad, rather than local movies about poverty and killing.

READ: Lolit Solis, Janno Gibbs wish PH filmmakers would make happy movies: ‘Puro patayan, kahirapan’

“Crazy Rich Asians” is the first major Hollywood film in 25 years to feature a majority Asian and Asian-American cast. The romantic comedy is based on the novel by Singaporean Kevin Kwan and directed by Jon Chu who was born and raised in America to Chinese and Taiwanese parents.

Filipino actors were featured in the movie, particularly Nico Santos as a supporting character and Kris Aquino in a cameo role.

The film topped the box office in its opening weekend in the Philippines as well as North America, earning a worldwide total of $235 million (P12.5 billion) according to Box Office Mojo.

While Asian-Americans were thrilled about themselves being represented in a Hollywood film, in some parts of Asia, the reception was more lukewarm as it competed with domestic movie industries. JB

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