Film Screening 'New Wave' Documentary + Director Q&A

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.
Hosted by Vietnamese Boat People &

: This award-winning documentary (Tribeca 2024, Albert Maysles Special Jury Award) captures the reinvention and resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora, exploring identity, belonging, and the power of storytelling.

Filmmaker Elizabeth Ai embarks on a journey to capture the vibrant spirit of a musical phenomenon that electrified Vietnamese American teens in the 1980s: New Wave. What begins as an exploration of the rebellion and freedom within this subculture evolves into a profound narrative of identity, loss, and healing. In Orange County, California, the synth beats and punk/goth aesthetics provided a sanctuary for a generation of youth grappling with the weight of their parents' unspoken traumas.

4:10 - Doors Open
4:30 - Screening
6:00 - Director's Q&A
6:20 - Bonus! Book Signing

Grab a copy of New Wave: Rebellion and Reinvention in the Vietnamese Diaspora by Elizabeth Ai (Angel City Press ) and get it signed after the show!
This event kicks off a storytelling series leading up to Vietnamese Boat People's , a traveling exhibition debuting in NYC this September.

"My favorite Tribeca music documentary was a homespun affair: Elizabeth Ai’s ‘New Wave,’ a soft scream of a film about ’80s Vietnamese diaspora culture and style."
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times

“Revealing a subculture little known to outsiders, the film soars in its glimpses of the past, most notably the archival performances and photo montages; the period’s outrageous hair must be seen to be believed.” —Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue

“a documentary love letter to her community and how its consumption of pop culture shaped defiant attitudes that still resonate today.” —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire

“New Wave” shows that while breaking the silence is a good first step, breaking the cycle is even more important." —Todd Inoue, San Francisco Chronicle

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Clairidge, 486 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, United States