'In The Heights' but it's Asian

Here's our recreation of the "In The Heights" opening but it's a little different.

Directing my friends in this project was an incredible experience. Although we were recklessly inspired fresh off of watching the movie, we sought out ways that we could really make the idea work. In The Heights is indisputably a story about Latino immigrants in the US, so rewriting the lyrics and shifting the narrative was an important step to respecting the source material and recognizing an opportunity for representation. From this, Usnavi became a second generation Chinese American who owns a boba shop.
AAPI stories and actors are among the most underrepresented in Hollywood, with exceptions that are more harmful than constructive: we are a main character's smart sidekick, a fetish, a quirky foreigner, a virus. So, while this video does not represent nearly as many groups as the title warrants (majority of the cast is Chinese), I hope that it would at least shed light on the community I've had the privilege of growing up with.

Thanks for watching! I'm a filmmaker based in Chicago, studying CS + Advertising at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I also do directing, editing, action design, videography, VFX, and dance performance. Consider subscribing to see my work!

Instagram: zhang_films

[DanielZhangyeet]

Jeez, I did not expect this to blow up as much as it did. I am so grateful that so many of you felt represented by this and enjoyed it. We started this production about a month ago for our church’s youth film fest. In the end, we spent a total of three weeks writing, shooting, and editing on a $50 budget.
I definitely feel some imposter syndrome as the video’s gained popularity. With limited time, we filmed this within our own community and friend groups, so though the final product represented many East Asians, it definitely lacked the South Asian and Indian representation that the title warranted. My hope is to also represent these groups in my future projects, especially since Hollywood hasn’t.
This video was very personal to me, as it was like a love letter to the Asian community that had raised me. Kids and parents aiming for success, Bible study groups, lots and lots of boba, and our struggles to maintain our conflicting cultural backgrounds were distinct in our identities. I’m so thankful for Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jon M Chu’s creation that reminds all immigrants to hang their flags up, proclaiming “we belong.”

[Uneventfuls]

The director of In The Heights, Jon M Chu just tweeted this, he loved it. Someone should send this to Lin Manuel Miranda, he would've love this aswell

[elifuzzzz]

I am Latina, so obviously I dont actually relate to this version, but I think it's actually interesting how Asian experiences and Latinos experiences in the USA can relate one another even with cultures so different in a lot of aspects.

[mrchickinman]

“i call her auntie but shes not really my auntie”

as a filibodian (filipino + cambodian), i can 100% confirm that everyone we respect that is older than us and not related are either our aunties or uncles.

[hannahh]

what I really appreciated about in the heights is that every kind of immigrant can relate at a lot of the key principles. This is why this video works so well and also why the Asian director of Crazy Rich Asians decided to direct it. He pointed out that obviously he doesn’t have the same experiences but he can relate to the immigrant story and having his own “Abuela Claudia” (more like a Lao Yi lol)

[tylermoore]

The way you freaking morphed a song about Latin pride into Asian pride is absolutely stunning! I can’t believe you did this! The world needs this right now, with Asian hate being more prevalent than ever! People, as demonstrated by this and In the Heights, should never be ashamed of where they came from and should exercise pride in their family! Bravo!

[otakualways]

I love all the little changes for an Asian perspective!
the Bible study not gossiping but instead bragging about their kids made me laugh so much
also the cousin in the background during the whole mathematics scene lol

[scottspeck]

The most impressive thing is your adherence to the original camera angles and editing. Shot for shot the same -- that must have taken forever! Very impressed.

[algernon]

I feel like a SEA, S. Asia, and W. Asia (Middle East) would have their own different versions since cultures vary by region drastically. So basically this is just the start.

[kinrateia]

Oh my god girl who plays Vanessa has angelic voice. She killed it!! I took my breath in to listen c:

[Jah_LEASE_yah]

As a Latina, I'm obsessed with this. I love how the lyrics were changed to fit Asian culture, but the story still matches up so well. Proves that the immigrant experience is universal. Also, the work that was put into this is so evident. Everyone did an awesome job. Well done. :)

[juliayang]

As a Chinese American, and one who has a huge love of musicals at that, this is amazing. Not only is it visually stunning, but I heavily relate to the immigrant experience depicted in In The Heights, so this really just hit the sweet spot. It makes me so happy to see you carving out a spot for AAPI actors and directors, because it means that there's a high possibility of more people like us getting opportunities in Hollywood and on Broadway. So, Bravo!! You got me crying in the club over a musical opening remake on a Sunday.

[ShadeZahrai]

I’m so glad YouTube recommended this to me! What a brilliant recreation! Loved it!

[ButterflySeraph]

I used to be in musical theatre, and it really sucked being one of a couple Asians in a mostly white cast that were usually trained at an early age because they could afford it. This video makes me really want to get back into musical theatre, and I will do anything to come back.

[Umwhatever]

i got super teary eyed at "asian americans, we are not stopping !"

this was so amazing wow ! i'm half japanese as well as a huge musical theatre / in the heights fan and i love this sm. you all did so great, you can just tell how much work you put into this. thank you for sharing this with the world <33

[arcycola]

as a filipino who lives in chicago who works in a bubble tea shop who also did theatre for 6 years…i really feel this and i love it. i always wanted some kind of musical like in the heights but for asian americans ❤️❤️

[pacorkaBlorka]

Being a very White citizen of the United States with ancestry back to the origins of this country, my upbringing was very white. Seeing videos like this make me yearn for more productions to involve non-white actors and non-white stories. These stories, YOUR stories need to be told. Thank you for this. Keep going. Keep creating. This was excellent and I'm excited to see more diversity in entertainment.

[frchalfoun]

LMAO “Let me also get a- FREESHAVOCADOO”
Okay but this is AMAZING I loved every second of it!!! Also Isabella has an amazing voice :0

[Solieta]

You know why I love this because yes this song was made orginally showing the struggles of latinx and Caribbean immigrant folks or those who come from mixed status families. But our songs, struggles and stories arent too different from other immigrant/ mixed status families.

[heatherlauture]

YESS!! I love it!! Y'all did that remix "pho and rice" and patience and faith in chinese!! I love it!! You guys did so good. God is smiling down. I love how y'all added his word and focus. Asian American community deserves an in the heights. I think all races should have their own. I would love for y'all to do a film. Y'all should raise money.