Documantarian Elizabeth Ai embarks on a journey to capture the vibrant spirit of a musical phenomenon that electrified Vietnamese American teens in the 1980s: New Wave. What begins as an exploration of the rebellion and freedom within this subculture evolves into a profound narrative of identity, loss, and healing. In Orange County, California, the synth beats and punk/goth aesthetics provided a sanctuary for a generation of youth grappling with the weight of their parents' unspoken traumas.

As Elizabeth delves into the lives of her family members and icons of the New Wave scene, she discovers that beneath the surface lies a complex tapestry of broken dreams and unfulfilled expectations. These were not just fleeting moments of teenage rebellion but acts of defiance against the lingering shadows of the Vietnam War and the sacrifices made by a generation trying to rebuild. The film juxtaposes the memories of her uncles and aunts—sneaking out to underground clubs—with Elizabeth's own childhood, marked by her mother's abandonment. What starts as a celebration of a cultural movement transforms into a cathartic journey. As the filmmaker unravels long-buried emotions and confronts the generational wounds that have shaped her community, the film becomes a powerful
exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and new beginnings.

Director Elizabeth Ai will be joining us for in-person intro and Q&A.

"My favorite Tribeca [Film Festival] music documentary was a homespun affair: Elizabeth Ai’s ‘New Wave,’ a soft scream of a film about ’80s Vietnamese diaspora culture and style." (New York Times)

"Revealing a subculture little known to outsiders, the film soars in its glimpses of the past, most notably the archival performances and photo montages; the period’s outrageous hair must be seen to be believed." (Vogue)

"... a documentary love letter to her community and how its consumption of pop culture shaped defiant attitudes that still resonate today." (IndieWire)

"As [director Ai] dug into the existence of her family members and icons of the New Wave scene — not the MTV-ready icons most Americans know such as Blondie or Billy Idol, but a separate echelon of Vietnamese artists — she discovered a tapestry of broken dreams and unmet expectations beneath the surface." (Los Angeles Times)

Tuesday, February 4
Doors 6:00 pm | Movie 6:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Tickets On Sale Soon!

NEW WAVE (Elizabeth Ai, 2024 / 88 mins / NR) Filmmaker Elizabeth Ai embarks on a project to tell a story of joy and youthful defiance as she explores a musical phenomenon in the 1980s known to Vietnamese American teens as new wave. As she delves into the lives of family members and icons of the new wave scene, a surprising and powerful story emerges about lasting effects of the Vietnam War and displacement on the community's mental health, and how that impact carries over generations.