American Masters, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Friday, Aug. 2, at 9 PM
Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 AM
Sunday, Aug. 4, at 2 PM
Over a career spanning more than 70 years, Rita Moreno defied her humble upbringing to become a celebrated and award-winning actor. This new documentary explores the star’s rich, decades-long career using vérité footage of Moreno today; archival footage of her roles and more. Film interviewees include Gloria Estefan, Morgan Freeman and Mitzi Gaynor, as well as Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who are also executive producers on the project.
Beyond the racism she experienced as a Latina actor, the documentary explores the lesser-known struggles Moreno faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and sexual abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando and an attempted suicide a year before she won her Oscar. It also demonstrates her talent and resilience as she broke barriers and paved the way for new generations of artists.
