New Wave Documentary Screening & Filmmaker Q&A
For:
Students, Faculty, General Public
Date:
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. The film juxtaposes the memories of her uncles and aunts—sneaking out to underground clubs—with Elizabeth's own childhood in Orange County, CA, marked by her mother's abandonment.
What starts as a celebration of a cultural movement transforms into a cathartic journey. As the filmmaker unravels long-buried emotions and confronts the generational wounds that have shaped her community, the film becomes a powerful exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and new beginnings. Following the screening, Ai will join us for a Q&A, moderated by journalist and Assistant Professor of Musicology and Ethnomusicology in the Butler School of Music, James Gabrillo.
This event is presented by the Department of Radio-Television-Film and the Center of Asian American Studies. Co-sponsored by the Butler School of Music.