The acclaimed documentary NEW WAVE has announced the first set of theatrical openings and is set to open in New York at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema beginning October 4. The film will open in select cities nationally throughout this fall. Director Elizabeth Ai and very special guests will be at select screenings for conversations following.

NEW WAVE explores the musical phenomenon of the 1980s known to Vietnamese American teens as New Wave. The filmmaker, Elizabeth Ai, dives into the lives of family members and icons of the New Wave scene, and uncovers much more than a rich musical history. 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 and offers new beginnings.

“Each time I looked into my daughter’s eyes while the filmmaking process unfolded, the importance to share our story intensified,” states director Ai. “I was determined to bridge past and present for her. This backwards journey led me to seek answers from my aunts and uncles, whose stories of survival—intertwined with their love for music, friendship, and escapes—underscored how our family’s painful past was crucial for understanding the depth of our bonds. As our film reaches audiences, I hope all those that have been displaced, who feel they don’t belong, can find some resolve in our film.” 

Director Ai will join in conversations after screenings with special guests:

• October 4 at 7:30 PM – In conversation with Su Kim
• October 5 at 7:15 PM – In conversation with Poh Si Teng
  
  October 6 at 5:00 PM – In conversation with Geeta Gandbhir and Hua Hsu 
  
  October 7 at 7:30 PM – In conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez 

NEW WAVE has won a number of awards including the Special Jury Prize for Best New Documentary Director at the Tribeca Film Festival 2024, the AICEF Prize for Cross-Cultural Filmmaking at Middlebury 2024, and the Audience Award at Austin Asian American Film Festival 2024!

NEW WAVE is a production by The Post Gen in association with Cinereach, Spark Features, Music Nerd, Ford Foundation, and is produced by Elizabeth Ai and Rachel Sine. The film is executive produced by Diane Quon, Simu Liu, Geeta Gandbhir, Robina Riccitiello, C.Y Lee, Linh Sung and Dug Sung. So Yun Um and Betty Hang are co-producers with cinematography by Bryant Swanstrom. The film is edited by Hee-Jae Park, Samuel Rong, Nancy Nguyen, and Christina Sun Kim with original songs by Trace Le and Ariel Loh with an original score by Greg Bernall and Chris Upton.