Director Eugene Yi has always been intrigued by the term Asian American and Pacific Islander and which ethnicities it encompasses. "When we talk about Asian Americans or Asian people in the U.S., often it's people who might look like you and me, and maybe not people who look like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani," Yi told The Associated Press. "Why is that, when this term is supposed to be so capacious and so inclusive?"
Yi, who is Korean American, was thrilled when approached to helm a new HBO documentary dedicated to AAPI identity and community. Timed for release during AAPI Heritage Month, "The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas" debuted Wednesday on HBO Max. It is the latest in "The List Series" created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, which has previously produced documentaries on prominent Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ Americans.
In the documentary, Yi captures straightforward, intimate interviews conducted by journalist Jada Yuan with 15 individuals of AAPI heritage across various industries. They include TV broadcaster Connie Chung, Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, and "Basement Bhangra" creator DJ Rekha. Actors Sandra Oh, Kumail Nanjiani, and Bowen Yang—often associated with comedic roles—also shared their thoughts on identity and belonging.
"When talking to people who are professionally funny, they are often comfortable not being funny in unscripted conversation," Yi said. "I appreciated the chance to delve a bit deeper into some of their stories."
Stars Find Catharsis in Sharing AAPI Upbringing
Yia Vang, chef and owner of Vinai, a popular Hmong restaurant in Minneapolis, filmed his "A List" interview three years ago. Since then, he has been featured in various cooking and lifestyle shows. Vang, who was born in a Thai refugee camp before his family settled in Wisconsin when he was four, likened the on-camera interview experience to a confessional. He tearfully recounts how his desire to avoid being "the weird kid" led him to discard school lunches of sticky rice and fermented vegetables packed by his mother. He did not expect to become emotional, but the memory sparked a core life lesson.
"I will never, ever try to be 'cool,'" Vang said. "That's why I get so intense about how we do our food here. Not because I'm chasing perfection or some award, but I want to stay true to the integrity that my parents laid before me." In what Vang calls "full-circle redemption," those dishes he used to throw away are now on his restaurant's menu. At a Milwaukee Film Festival screening last month, Vang saw audience reactions firsthand. "The audience really connected because I'm a Wisconsin boy," Vang said. Several attendees approached him just to say, "It's so awesome to see a Midwest kid in there."
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Still Struggle for Visibility
Asian Americans constitute one of the fastest-growing U.S. populations. Yet, according to a new survey by The Asian American Foundation, U.S. adults have more difficulty recognizing the influence of AAPI people compared to other racial groups. The annual Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the United States (STAATUS) Index, conducted in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago, found that four in ten U.S. adults cannot name a single famous Asian American; Jackie Chan, who is not American, was among the most frequently cited. About half were unable to name examples of famous Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
"It's an indication of how for most of America—and our data shows this—people get most of their information about Asian Americans not from direct contacts, but from the media," said Norman Chen, CEO of The Asian American Foundation. Chen recently attended a screening of "The A List" and praised the breadth of personal stories Yi and his team curated. He noted it is a film that might not have been made a decade ago. "Even people we don't know have such powerful stories that show the depth and richness of our community and the struggles we've had to go through across generations," Chen said.
Working on a Film About Identity Amid Political Change
When Yi and the crew began work on the documentary, Vice President Kamala Harris was running against Donald Trump for president. Now, under a Republican Trump administration that opposes diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Yi acknowledges the documentary may seem inherently political. "What I've seen during this stretch of time—speaking for myself—is how quickly things can backslide and how quickly people can be erased," Yi said. "We literally have people being disappeared on the streets and histories being erased." He is particularly gratified that some older participants related to historical events, such as activist Kathy Masaoka, whose mother was held in Japanese American incarceration camps. Yi hopes people recognize the struggles AAPI people have endured in the past and present while building community. "We can move forward from this moment in terms of rebuilding, reclaiming, and taking up space with confidence and hope again," Yi concluded.
