TICKETS $15

Doors 6:30 p.m.; Event 7 p.m.
Select Showtime to Purchase Tickets

Come early for DJ MV + Asian American inspired Doughnuts pop-up

Click here to learn more about accessibility at the Tomorrow Theater. 

THE EXPERIENCE

Join us for a very special community screening of New Wave, featuring Phụ Đề Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese Subtitles). So bring your aunties, your grandparents, and your whole community! During doors catch DJ MV spinning music inspired by the film. We will also be selling THEWWW merch and we will have a special Asian American inspired doughnuts pop-up with HeyDay! Before the film, head over to Better Days Cafe for a drink special inspired by music and culture featured in the film. You won’t want to miss this special screening! 

“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

ON SCREEN: New Wave

2024. Directed by Elizabeth Ai. Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes. 

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.

As Elizabeth delves into the lives of her family members and icons of the New Wave scene, she discovers that beneath the surface lies a complex tapestry of broken dreams and unfulfilled expectations. These were not just fleeting moments of teenage rebellion but acts of defiance against the lingering shadows of the Vietnam War and the sacrifices made by a generation trying to rebuild. 

The film juxtaposes the memories of her uncles and aunts—sneaking out to underground clubs—with Elizabeth’s own childhood, 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.

ON STAGE: Matthew Vu

THEWWW is a space for personal exploration. The namesake THEWWW comes from the latter portion of my first name MATTHEW while it is typically read as “THE WWW” which is known as the worldwide web, the channel or medium which I am able to research and remember the things I may have forgotten, as well as connect with new and old friends no matter where their location.

The project currently places emphasis on the Asian American experience. Parts of my childhood were filled with both joy and sorrow. The joy comes from movies where I identified with the characters that shared the same features I have, where the sorrow is being one of the few Asians in the town I was raised in, I did face racism both passively and aggressively. These projects are to inspire those that identify with this, a sense of joy and pride where for the unfamiliar a learning opportunity for something that was meaningful to me.

VENDING: Lisa Nguyen, HeyDay Doughnuts 

Lisa Nguyen is an expressive pastry chef and baker who creates experiences through food. Drawing
from her Vietnamese heritage and upbringing, Lisa’s creations are rooted in memory, intention, and a
desire to spark meaningful connections. Every dish she makes reflects her story and the legacy she
continues to build, one flavor at a time.