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

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