A powerful new documentary that weaves music, memory, and identity made its Chicago debut this week as part of the 28th Annual Asian American Showcase. Titled New Wave, the film is directed by Elizabeth Ai and tells a deeply personal yet communal story about Vietnamese American teens growing up in the 1980s—and how they found belonging through music.
The premiere was hosted at the Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago, attracting film lovers, community members, and Vietnamese American families eager to see their stories reflected on screen.
About the Film
Winner of the Albert Maysles Special Jury Award for Best New Documentary Director at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, New Wave goes far beyond nostalgia. It unpacks the layered experiences of first-generation refugee teens in Orange County, California, who were caught between two cultures—and found comfort in the new wave music scene.
Director Elizabeth Ai said the film was inspired during a pivotal life moment in 2018:
“I was pregnant and it was the most terrifying thing that ever happened… I didn’t have anywhere to turn.”
The project evolved over six years into a reflection on healing, generational trauma, and cultural survival.
Cultural Themes and Community Resonance
The documentary offers a candid look at how many Vietnamese American teens—displaced by war and disconnected from both American and traditional Vietnamese norms—turned to music as a space for expression and identity.
“They couldn’t be white American enough at school. They couldn’t be Vietnamese enough at home. So they built a community identity through new wave music,” Ai explained.
The film includes performances and memories from iconic Vietnamese American artists like Lynda Trang Dai, whose appearance brought an emotional response from audience members.
Local attendee Judy Huong Slater, herself a 1975 immigrant, shared:
“I saw Lynda Trang Dai and said ‘Oh my gosh, this is so cool… we all lived that.’”
Audience Impact and Next Steps
Ai’s personal journey through abandonment, motherhood, and memory is interwoven into the film’s narrative. The audience response in Chicago was overwhelming.
“The most important thing is our community feeling seen and heard,” Ai said. “We need to be loud and proud of who we are. That starts with sharing our stories.”
Following its Chicago premiere, Ai revealed plans are underway to adapt New Wave into a longer series—and she’s also beginning work on her first fiction feature.
Did you grow up during the 1980s? Do you remember how music shaped your identity? What stories from your community deserve to be told next? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s continue celebrating diverse voices together.
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