PRESS
NEW YORK TIMES
Natalia Winkelmean
"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."
Lisa Wong Macabasco
"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."
Ryan Lattanzio
"...a documentary love letter to her community and how its consumption of pop culture shaped defiant attitudes that still resonate today….Piercing and personal."
Katie Carter
“New Wave is an instructive document and an emotional reckoning; the most wonderful surprise in watching it is how greatly it succeeds at both.”
Peter Martin
“Ai’s commanding exploration of cultural identity and community resilience makes for an intimate, emotionally-attuned watch.”
Nathaniel Muir
"Part love letter to her community, part cathartic release, New Wave promises to be one of the most joyful and heartfelt watches from Tribeca."
Chris Jones
“NEW WAVE triumphs as a profound celebration of music's healing and unifying power.”
Stephen Saito
“‘New Wave’ shows how the music brought people together when those feeling lonely on a Friday night could count on a dance hall being open. Those doors are unlocked again in Ai’s feature directorial debut, which is as apt to move audiences in ways beyond the dance floor…”
Anh Do
“...it will help many people to look at the conversations...between parents and children and how we need to talk, before it's too late.”
Todd Inoue
“New Wave” shows that while breaking the silence is a good first step, breaking the cycle is even more important."
