'Director Adele Lim of film 'Joy Ride' finds crude humor to be a refreshing respite'
Adele Lim, the screenwriter and director behind the hit films Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon, is making waves once again with her directorial debut, "Joy Ride". The R-rated buddy comedy, featuring four Asian American leads, is a departure from the family-friendly projects that Lim has been known for.
Lim, who is also a producer on "Joy Ride", faced pressure when taking on the directing role. It was the first time four Asian faces were at the centre of an R-rated comedy, a milestone in representation for Asian Americans in the film industry.
"Joy Ride" boasts a diverse cast, with three female leads and one nonbinary character. The film is bawdy and unapologetic, featuring full-frontal female nudity, which was approved by Seth Rogen's production company.
Lim's decision to take on the directing role for "Joy Ride" came after a public dispute over her salary for the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians. She turned down the offer, reportedly one-tenth the salary of her white male co-writer, and went public about being lowballed. She has no regrets about the decision and is happy being on the other side.
The new film is a palate cleanser for Lim, who has been working on family-friendly projects for some time. Lim and her co-writers often discuss raunchy humor and dick jokes, which are prevalent in "Joy Ride".
Lim will attend the premiere of "Joy Ride" as a director, producer, and Asian American woman who has worked hard for her community. She wants opportunities for new talent to be found, in addition to established actors like Michelle Yeoh, Simu Liu, and Awkwafina getting all the projects in the world.
Lim believes it's important for Asian women to be shown in a sexual light in media, as it's an important part of their identity. Asian women are rarely shown in this light, and Lim hopes to change that with "Joy Ride".
Lim has made crucial gains in the proposed DGA deal, which she thinks is a base level for the rest of the guilds to build on. She is surprised by sticking points like AI in the WGA standoff and believes that writers' rights need to be fixed for the future.
Lim's career in the film industry began with a wanted ad in THR for a writers assistant, which turned out to be for Xena: Warrior Princess. She went on to co-write Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon" and co-penned the $239 million-grossing "Crazy Rich Asians".
Despite the controversies and challenges, Lim remains optimistic about the future of Asian representation in the film industry. She will continue to push boundaries and challenge stereotypes with her work.
