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Logline

Mile-high hair. Synthesized sounds. Teenage rebellion. Elizabeth Ai was on a mission to excavate an untold story of rebellious punks in the chaotic world of 80s Vietnamese New Wave until she uncovers a hidden past.

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 painful 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.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Elizabeth Ai – Director/Producer
Elizabeth Ai is a Chinese-Vietnamese-American Los Angeles based Emmy award-winning storyteller. She writes and produces independent feature films as well as branded content for companies such as National Geographic, ESPN, and VICE. She produced documentary features: Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe (2008), on the titled artist after his prison release and before his meteoric rise; and A Woman’s Work: The NFL’S Cheerleader Problem (2019), which examines wage theft and exploitation of the only visible women in the NFL; and feature narratives, Saigon Electric (2011), set in the thriving underground world of breakdancing and hip hop in Vietnam; and BA (2024) about a single father caught in a line of essential work struggling to reunite with his daughter. During her tenure at VICE, she created the original series pilot for cannabis cooking show, Bong Appétit (2014), which got picked up for series on Viceland. She’s currently in production with her directorial debut, New Wave, a feature documentary about a 1980s music scene pioneered by Vietnamese American teens. She’s a fellow of Berlinale Talents, Center for Asian American Media, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Film Independent, Firelight Media, Sundance Institute, and Women in Film. Her films are supported by California Humanities, Cinereach, Firelight Media, Independent Television Service, Knight Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Sundance Institute.

Rachel Sine – Producer
Rachel Sine is seasoned producer with a background in branded, digital, and non-fiction media. Notable credits include Justin Chon’s Ms. Purple (2019) and Yu Gu’s A Woman’s Work: The NFL’S Cheerleader Problem (2019). Currently, she’s producing New Wave, a feature documentary exploring the lives of Vietnamese teens in the 1980s as they build a cultural landscape around new wave music. This project receives support from esteemed institutions like the Sundance Institute, Cinereach, Film Independent, and the Ford Foundation, underscoring its significance. Rachel’s dedication to storytelling and amplifying voices permeates every aspect of her craft.

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Contact

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