NEW WAVE: POST-FILM Q&A w/ ELIZABETH AI

Friday, May 30, 2025
New Wave
Post-film Q&A w/ Elizabeth Ai
Moderated by Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Yến Huỳnh
6:30pm doors/7:00pm show
Orca Books will be selling copies of New Wave: Rebellion and Reinvention in the Vietnamese Diaspora in the lobby

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.
Dir. Elizabeth Ai / 2025 / US / 88 min

“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

About Elizabeth Ai:

Elizabeth Ai is a Chinese Vietnamese American award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and author. Her debut feature documentary, NEW WAVE, premiered in competition at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, earning a Special Jury Mention for Best New Documentary Director and critical acclaim from The New York Times, Vogue, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle. 

She is the author of New Wave: Rebellion and Reinvention in the Vietnamese Diaspora and an Emmy winner and nominee for her branded content with ESPN and National Geographic. She created the original pilot for VICE/Munchies’ Bong Appétit, which was picked up for series. Her producing credits include Dirty Hands, Saigon Electric, Ba, and A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem.

An alum of Sundance, Tribeca, Berlinale, and Firelight Media, Ai’s work has been supported by the Center for Asian American Media, Cinereach, Ford Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

About our moderator:

Olympia Mayor Pro Tem and proud daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Yến Huỳnh, is so excited to help welcome New Wave to Olympia! She is thrilled that this event is taking place during the 50th anniversary of the first Vietnamese refugees arriving in Washington State and hosted at her favorite art house theater, the Olympia Film Society, where she has spent many Friday nights slinging popcorn and building community.

SCREENING: FRI 5/30 7PM

$13 GA & $10 OFS. Tickets are available at the box office 30 minutes before showtimes.

Year-round programming support by