"We're making history because we've never seen Asian faces in this way,” says Joy Ride star Sherry Cola. Directed by Adele Lim, the acclaimed film is, unquestionably, an instant comedy classic for its rare depiction of Asian people - in Cola’s words - ‘doing drugs’ whilst having ‘fun, sex and a K-Pop music video fantasy!’
From the co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride stars Cola, Ashley Park, Shephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu as four mismatched chums on a bonkers and debauchery-filled adventure to China. Cola, best known for her role as Alice Kwan on Good Trouble, plays Lolo, a sex-positive artist who makes, well, sex-positive art.
“This is the most liberated version of myself that I've ever portrayed because, stereotypically, society has put us in the box of ‘timid’ or ‘submissive’ or not wanting to rock the boat,” Cola tells GAY TIMES, “and Lolo shatters that completely.”
Wu, a screenwriter and comedian, makes their on-screen debut as Deadeye, Lolo’s eccentric, androgynous and socially-awkward cousin with a K-pop obsession. “There are parts of Deadeye that feel very pulled from my life,” the newcomer reveals. “Hopefully that reads to their authenticity and genuineness.”
Here, Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu discuss the “universal” themes of Joy Ride, the refreshing portrayal of their characters’ queerness and whether we can expect to see the new Fantastic Four
