New Wave
World Premiere

New Wave

Documentary Competition
Feature | United States | 88 MINUTES | English, Vietnamese | English subtitles
Documentary, Music

It’s a late evening in 2019. Elizabeth Ai, a Vietnamese American filmmaker, exuberantly hangs out with friends outside of a nightclub. As Elizabeth enters with her cohort, her soft-spoken narration reveals her current purpose: “I just had a baby six months ago - and there I was, at a club…chasing a story.” This is the onset of Elizabeth’s feisty exploration into her Vietnamese music culture - specifically, her examination of “new wave” - the popular 80’s musical phenomenon that featured Vietnamese artists/singers with big hairstyles, defiant attitudes and joyful, infectious vibes. Elizabeth was swept up by the vivacious “new wave” throughout her childhood, while being raised by her aunt Myra amidst a strained relationship with her mother. Now as a new mother, Elizabeth links up with “new wave” stalwarts like singer Lynda Trang Đài and Ian “DJ BPM” Nguyen to further reflect on the nostalgia & kitsch of “new wave” - from the boisterous apex of this phenomenon to its struggles when idiosyncratic artists sought inclusion in the wider American pop culture scene. 

Ai’s commanding exploration of cultural identity and community resilience makes for an intimate, emotionally-attuned watch. Bolstered by a treasure trove of archival footage of irreverent musical performances (with big hairstyles galore), New Wave is ultimately a love letter to a determined community striving for acceptance.––Jose Rodriguez


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Elizabeth Ai
Director
Elizabeth Ai
Producer
Elizabeth Ai, Rachel Sine
Screenwriter
Elizabeth Ai
Cinematographer
Bryant Swanstrom
Composer
Greg Bernall & Chris Upton
Editor
Hee-Jae Park, Samuel Rong, Nancy Nguyen, Christina Sun Kim
Executive Producer
Simu Liu, Diane Quon, Geeta Gandbhir, Robina Riccitiello, C. Y. Lee, Linh Song, Dug Song, Jane Solomon
Associate Producer
Mena Dolinh
Co-Producer
So Yun Um, Betty Hang
Consulting Producer
Hannah Bernall
Cast
Lynda Trang Đài, Ian Nguyen, Elizabeth Ai

Contacts
Press Contact
David Magdael
David Magdael & Associates
Los Angeles, CA 90015
dmagdael@dmagpr.com
US Sales Contact
Rachel Sine
New Wave Productions LLC.
CA 91723
newwavedocumentary@gmail.com
International Sales Contact
Rachel Sine
New Wave Productions LLC.
CA 91723
newwavedocumentary@gmail.com
Print Source
Rachel Sine
New Wave Productions LLC.
CA 91723
newwavedocumentary@gmail.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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