Focus on Vietnam
New Wave
Followed by Q&A w/ Director
Synopsis:
Filmmaker Elizabeth Ai explores the vibrant New Wave music scene that energized Vietnamese American teens in the 1980s. Her journey begins with themes of rebellion but evolves into a deeper narrative of identity, loss, and healing in Orange County, California. As she interviews family members and New Wave icons, Elizabeth uncovers the complex impact of the Vietnam War on her community. The film contrasts her relatives' experiences of sneaking into underground clubs with her own childhood marked by her mother's abandonment. Ultimately, it becomes a powerful exploration of generational wounds, resilience, and cultural identity.
Schedule
Nov 20, 2024 @ 03:30 PM
Director
Elizabeth Ai
Chris Upton
Elizabeth Ai is a Chinese-Vietnamese-American Los Angeles based Emmy award-winning producer. She writes, directs, and produces independent narratives 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 NFL women. Additionally, she produced SAIGON ELECTRIC (2011), a feature narrative set in Vietnam’s world of breakdancing. During her tenure at VICE, she created the original pilot for BONG APPÉTIT (2014), which got picked up for series on Viceland. She’s currently directing and producing two in-progress feature documentaries and has a slate of narratives in development. She’s a fellow of Berlin Talent Campus, Film Independent, Sundance, and Tribeca. Her film projects are supported by California Humanities, Firelight Media, Knight Foundation, and ITVS. She received her B.A. from the University of Southern California.
Credits
Director:
Elizabeth Ai
Producers:
Elizabeth Ai
Rachel Sine
Cinematography:
Bryant Swanstrom
Editing:
Hee-Jae Park
Cast:
Lynda Trang Đài
Ian Nguyen
Elizabeth Ai
Screenwriters:
Elizabeth Ai
Samuel Rong
Nancy Nguyen
Christina Sun Kim
Composers:
Greg Bernall
88 min | Music Documentary | 2023 | USA | English, Vietnamese
Executive Producers:
Simu Liu
Diane Quon
Geeta Gandbhir
Robina Riccitiello
C. Y. Lee
Linh Song
Dug Song
Jane Solomon