I would be lying if I said I had some pre-existing expertise in Chinese music, Hilfer admits.
So it was really cool to get into it.
Getting into it meant gathering as many songs as possible that matched what Chus vision.
Below, Hilfer explains how his team discovered and curated five key songs from the soundtrack.
Its a perfect emotional fit, and we wanted to knock everyone out with a super fun track.
She was very hyped, Hilfer recalls.
She couldnt have been more excited.
We had always been thinking about how to involve Awkwafina more because shes so incredible, Hilfer says.
Hilfer remembers of the idea to bring Chen back for a second scene.
Unfortunately, much of the dance number includinga scene with Harry Shum Jr. as Charlie got cut.
Fingers crossed an extended version makes it in the directors cut.
In fact, he had more trouble finding the cover in the first place.
This version came out of a wholedeepdive into fun Chinese covers, he says.
It was just so perfect, Hilfer says.
It was serendipitous, Hilfer says.
When Hilfer tried using the song in the scene, it just fit.
Plus, Chu says using Yellow in particular allowed for an even deeper meaning.
Once they saw it, they were enthusiastically on board, Hilfer says.
They appreciated the gravity of it.
I just, I dont know, theres something very powerful personally to me.
Crazy Rich Asiansis now in theaters.
