Kelly Marie Tran talks to us about The Wedding Banquet

Summary

In this interview, the actress discusses her role as Angela Chen, navigating a complex relationship involving IVF and a green card marriage. She reflects on the creative and supportive atmosphere on set, which allowed her and the cast to explore both humorous and emotional aspects of the story. The conversation also touches on the significance of representation for queer and people of color communities, emphasizing the importance of showcasing their humanity. Finally, the actress shares lighthearted moments with her co-stars and humorously reveals her love for Hot Cheetos, adding a fun twist to the interview.

Takeaways

• 😀 The actor plays Angela Chen, who is in a relationship with Lee and best friends with Chris, while navigating relationship issues around IVF.
• 😀 The character's relationships are complex, with themes of commitment, marriage, and a proposal for a sham marriage to solve various problems.
• 😀 The production environment was creative and collaborative, fostering an easy balance between humor and emotional depth, thanks to the director Andrew's leadership.
• 😀 The cast had great chemistry, making it easy to work together and play off one another's energy during filming.
• 😀 The actor expresses pride in being part of a diverse Asian cast, acknowledging the importance of representation, especially in challenging times for both queer and POC communities.
• 😀 Being part of a project that celebrates Asian and queer communities was seen as especially meaningful during such a tense global moment.
• 😀 The actor shares excitement for their upcoming movie 'Rock Springs,' mentioning their admiration for their co-stars Benny and Jimmy and their bond on set.
• 😀 The filming experience in Vancouver was made memorable by Jimmy's knowledge of the best local restaurants, showcasing the cast's camaraderie outside of the work environment.
• 😀 The actor feels grateful to be surprised by the kindness and positive atmosphere of their new cast, making the experience pleasant and comforting.
• 😀 In a fun hypothetical, the actor jokingly suggests that if people were to throw something at them during a wedding, it should be Hot Cheetos, showing their love for the snack.

Q & A

Can you describe your character in this project?

I play Angela Chen, a woman in a relationship with Lee Gladstone's character, and best friends with Bowen Yang's character, Chris. Angela and Lee are dealing with issues related to IVF, and Bowen and Chris' characters are having relationship conflicts regarding commitment and marriage. Together, they come up with the idea of a sham marriage to solve their problems, leading to humorous and emotional moments.

How did you find the balance between humor and emotion in your character's story?

The balance felt really organic. It was easy because the writing, direction, and the collaborative efforts of the actors created an environment where we could play with both humorous and emotional moments seamlessly. I think any actor is only as good as the people they work with, and we had such a supportive environment on set.

Why was it important to have such a strong Asian representation in this project?

It's incredibly important, especially in today's world, where there are so many challenges for both the queer community and people of color. Being part of a project that not only celebrates these communities but also shows their humanity is crucial for broadening understanding and awareness, especially for people who might not have exposure to them.

How did working with the cast influence your experience on set?

It was wonderful working with such a talented and kind cast. I was initially nervous about joining a new project, but I was immediately put at ease by the warm atmosphere created by the cast and crew. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive, which made the entire experience a joy.

Can you share any details about your upcoming project, *Rock Springs*?

I can't reveal too much, but I can say I'm really excited about *Rock Springs*. We finished filming in Vancouver at the end of last year, and I absolutely loved working with Benny and Jimmy. They were amazing to work with, and we had a great time exploring the city and enjoying some of the best local restaurants together.

What was it like working with Benedict and the rest of the *Rock Springs* cast?

Working with Benedict and the cast was fantastic. Jimmy knew all the best spots in Vancouver, and he even introduced us to the chefs at some of the top restaurants, which made it feel very special. It was a fun, collaborative atmosphere, and I immediately felt comfortable around everyone.

How did you feel about being a part of such an inclusive project with a diverse cast?

I feel incredibly proud and grateful. It's a great privilege to be part of a project that not only showcases a diverse cast but also tells important stories about underrepresented communities. It's especially important given the challenges many communities are facing in the world today.

Can you talk more about your character's relationship with the other characters in the story?

Angela's relationship with Lee is central to the plot. They're facing difficulties related to IVF, and their dynamic is affected by that. At the same time, her best friend Chris is going through his own struggles, which leads to the decision to enter a sham marriage. The relationships are complex and full of emotional depth, but also have plenty of humorous moments.

What did you appreciate most about the director's approach to the film?

I really appreciated the director's ability to foster a creative environment on set. Andrew made sure we had the freedom to experiment with our roles, which allowed us to bring more depth and authenticity to our performances. It wasn’t easy to create that environment, but he did it so seamlessly.

If you had to choose something to have thrown at you at a wedding, what would it be?

I would love for people to throw Hot Cheetos! I’m not sponsored by them or anything, I just really love them. It would be a fun and unexpected twist for a wedding celebration.