New Wave

An eye-opening and personal snapshot of the 1980s Vietnamese American new wave scene, whose synth beats became a soundtrack to a diaspora.

In 1980s Orange County, California, Vietnamese-American teens got turned on to the Eurodisco beats and punk rock/goth aesthetics of the new wave music scene. Out of this vibrant movement of mile-high hair and underground parties a community was born, replete with its own music personalities and dress code. Underneath it all was a shared trauma of being children of a diaspora born out of war that left many of their parents with PTSD.

Featuring eye-opening interviews with some of its biggest stars, including the 'Vietnamese Madonna', Lynda Trang Đài, this is their story of rebellion, reinvention and joy. And neon, a lot of neon!

Curator's note
Director Elizabeth Ai takes us into a very unique pocket of pop culture history. Going beyond the cool fashion, big hair and even bigger personalities, Ai spins a personal tale of pain and resilience. The film beautifully weaves together a fascinating picture of a unique moment in pop culture history and how this refugee community worked through their pain and alienation on the dancefloor. Grounding this story is also the filmmaker's personal journey of reconciliation with her estranged mother, which threads together all the narrative strands. Music, joy, pain and reconciliation come together, the dancefloor providing the communal experience and a place for healing.