Parents' Guide to The A List: 15 Stories from Asian and Pacific Diasporas

Movie NR 2026 84 minutes
The A-List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas movie poster: 8 Asian Pacific celebrities headshots

Common Sense Media Review

Christie Cronan By Christie Cronan , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Timely, compelling docu explores what it means to be AANHPI.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The A-List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas movie: Kumail Nanijani, Tammy Duckworth, and Sandra Oh pics
  • The A-List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas movie: Connie Chung sits for a headshot photo
  • The A-List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas movie: Bown Yang sits with arms folded

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

THE A LIST: 15 STORIES FROM ASIAN AND PACIFIC DISAPORAS explores what it means to be an Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander living in America. In a series of personal interviews ranging from famous celebrities (such as Sandra Oh, Bowen Yang, and Kumail Nanjiani) to lesser-known individuals, this film seeks to reveal, dissect, and reflect on identity, community, legacy, and hope.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Thought-provoking and grounded, this timely, compelling collection of unique stories challenges what it means to be a culturally-displaced American in today's society. The documentary's short vignettes explore the innate human need for belonging and acceptance in an unwelcoming, prejudiced world. Within the huge range of real, heartfelt personal stories, each individual wrestles with the identity they've been given and reflects on their unique lived experiences and how they have shaped them. The alternating of celebrity and lesser-known stories drives home the point that every journey is important and worth sharing. This is a required watch for anyone trying to truly understand what a diaspora is.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the purpose of this documentary—to educate, inspire, empathize, persuade, or something else? Did this film change how you think about the word "American?" Why?

  • Why do you think the filmmakers chose these 15 stories and not others? Are there any voices that were emphasized? Any perspectives left out of the conversation?

  • What stereotypes, stigmas, and prejudices about Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander communities does this documentary challenge? How can hearing personal stories reduce prejudice or misunderstanding?

  • Which story connected with you the most? Why? What makes a story feel authentic and trustworthy to you? What responsibility do filmmakers have in portraying real people's stories?

Movie Details

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The A-List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas movie poster: 8 Asian Pacific celebrities headshots

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