New Wave

— BY Elizabeth Ai

status

At festivals

type

Nonfiction

year

2024

director

Elizabeth Ai

producers

Elizabeth Ai, Rachel Sine

Official Website

Synopsis

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, she uncovers much more than just music and fashion. In the heart of Orange County, California, this counterculture movement takes the youth by storm, becoming a sanctuary for rebellious teens. The fun Euro-synth dance beats and punk/goth aesthetics mask deep traumas—broken dreams and unfulfilled expectations that have shaped her community. The joyful memories of her uncles and aunts sneaking out to this underground scene clash with her own childhood, haunted by her mother’s abandonment. As the filmmaker digs deeper, the excavation becomes an emotional journey, unraveling mysteries that touch on cultural identity, generational trauma, and the Vietnam War’s lasting impact. The exploration transforms from a love letter to her community into a cathartic process for the filmmaker. By confronting these buried emotions, the film takes us on a soulful journey that binds wounds, celebrates resilience, and offers new beginnings.

About the team

Elizabeth Ai produces branded content for companies such as National Geographic, ESPN, and VICE. Additionally she produces independent features such as documentaries: DIRTY HANDS: THE ART & CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE (2008) and A WOMAN’S WORK: THE NFL’S CHEERLEADER PROBLEM (2019); as well as feature narratives, SAIGON ELECTRIC (2011) and BA (2024). During her tenure at VICE, she created a cannabis cooking show, BONG APPÉTIT (2014). She’s currently in post production with her feature directorial debut, NEW WAVE (2024). She and her films are supported by Berlinale, Center for Asian American Media, Cinereach, Film Independent, Firelight Media, Ford Foundation, and Sundance, and Tribeca.

Rachel Sine is a LA-based producer with experience across branded, digital, and non-fiction media. Past film credits include Justin Chon’s MS. PURPLE (2019) and Yu Gu’s A WOMAN’S WORK: THE NFL’S CHEERLEADER PROBLEM (2019). Currently, she is producing NEW WAVE, set to make its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024. The project is supported by organizations such as Sundance Institute, Ford Foundation, and Cinereach. Outside of her work in film, Rachel dabbles in learning new languages like Urdu, Hindi, Russian, and JavaScript. She keeps the lights on by working as a Software Engineer at The Walt Disney Studios.

About the team

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