Directed by Linda Mai Green for Downtown for Democracy, PIVOT, NAKASEC
“Ballad to the Ballot” features indie musician Thao Nguyen of Thao & the Get Down Stay Down as she dazzles onstage, crooning an original, bilingual Get Out the Vote anthem, set to the dreamy rhythms of cha cha cha. The music and the look evoke retro episodes of Paris By Night, an over-the-top variety show beloved by many Vietnamese of the diaspora, who often served a VHS-viewing of the show along with family dinner. Thao, who is Vietnamese American, plays both the hostess and performer in traditional ao dai-inspired dresses from the Atelier of Vietnamese American fashion designer Thai Nguyen (from Netflix’s show 'Say I Do'). The video honors Viet nostalgia while claiming a future here by celebrating democracy, civic engagement and the rich cultural contribution of an often-marginalized immigrant community that is now an emerging political force in counties all over the USA.
Brought to you by PIVOT - The Progressive Vietnamese American American Organization, Downtown For Democracy, and NAKASEC.
PRESS:
CREDITS
Starring Thao Nguyen
Directed by Linda Mai Green
Wardrobe: Thai Nguyen
Creative Director: Courtney Saunders
Cinematography: Ethan Goldwater
Art Direction: Pakayla Rae Biehn
Styling: Kat Yeh
Hair and Makeup: Annalizay Saavedra
Assistant Camera: Laura Kenmotsu
Stage Lighting: Steve Echerd
Music Engineering + Mix: Ryan York
Color: Jamie LeJeune
Shot on location at the Sydney Goldstein Theater in San Francisco, CA.
Special thanks to Holly Mulder-Wollan and Steve and Caroline Echerd
Produced by Hover Pictures