It’s possible to define the greatness of Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente with numbers.
Precisely 3,000 hits. Twelve Gold Gloves. Two World Series titles with a franchise that hadn’t won one in the 30 years before Clemente’s arrival. One World Series Mvp and one National League Mvp. The first Latino player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
The numbers for Roberto Clemente are fairly phenomenal.
But they’re inadequate.
Roberto Clemente is in a pantheon of sports figures because of the trail he blazed for Latino and specifically Caribbean players. He’s revered because his commitment to humanitarian causes was so all-encompassing that his death, at the age of 38, came while transporting supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He’s iconic because the things he did on the field that couldn’t always be measured statistically — his throwing arm, his on-field intensity — bordered on Bunyanesque.
Precisely 3,000 hits. Twelve Gold Gloves. Two World Series titles with a franchise that hadn’t won one in the 30 years before Clemente’s arrival. One World Series Mvp and one National League Mvp. The first Latino player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
The numbers for Roberto Clemente are fairly phenomenal.
But they’re inadequate.
Roberto Clemente is in a pantheon of sports figures because of the trail he blazed for Latino and specifically Caribbean players. He’s revered because his commitment to humanitarian causes was so all-encompassing that his death, at the age of 38, came while transporting supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He’s iconic because the things he did on the field that couldn’t always be measured statistically — his throwing arm, his on-field intensity — bordered on Bunyanesque.
- 3/12/2024
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute/photo by Getty Images Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, Netflix from Thursday
Our streaming selection this week is this sprightly documentary originally made for PBS's dependable American Masters series, which shines a light on the life and work of the West Side Story star. As charismatic as ever at age 87, when this film was made, she is a lively and engaging interviewee, something that director Mariem Pérez Riera turns to her advantage as she considers Rita's career. And what a career it is, starting at age six and still going strong. This is a straightforward documentary in terms of technique but it's packed with interesting content including the discrimination Puerto Rican stars like her faced at the hands of the industry. While it touches on dark subject matter,...
Our streaming selection this week is this sprightly documentary originally made for PBS's dependable American Masters series, which shines a light on the life and work of the West Side Story star. As charismatic as ever at age 87, when this film was made, she is a lively and engaging interviewee, something that director Mariem Pérez Riera turns to her advantage as she considers Rita's career. And what a career it is, starting at age six and still going strong. This is a straightforward documentary in terms of technique but it's packed with interesting content including the discrimination Puerto Rican stars like her faced at the hands of the industry. While it touches on dark subject matter,...
- 5/15/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Sundance Institute has selected Minhal Baig, Marion Hill, Ciara Lacy, Billy Luther, Chanelle Aponte Pearson, Mariem Pérez Riera, Jamila Wignot and Iman Zawahry for its fourth Momentum Fellowship, supporting professional development for mid-career artists from historically marginalized communities as they explore and develop their creative practice.
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
- 3/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Puerto Rican-born star of the first West Side Story movie reflects on her life, career and traumas in this warm documentary salute
This televisual but still touching documentary tribute to actor Rita Moreno, who turns 90 this month, is released in the UK as a warm-up act to Steven Spielberg’s new film version of West Side Story coming out next month. Moreno is probably most famous for playing Anita in the 1961 film version of the musical, in a zesty, broad performance in which she whips the voluminous folds of her lilac party dress while singing America. It was a turn that earned her the best supporting actress Oscar, and she will be in Spielberg’s new version, too, but Rita-as-Anita in the lilac dress will probably remain the image that most often comes to mind when her name is mentioned.
Director Mariem Pérez Riera celebrates a career that had...
This televisual but still touching documentary tribute to actor Rita Moreno, who turns 90 this month, is released in the UK as a warm-up act to Steven Spielberg’s new film version of West Side Story coming out next month. Moreno is probably most famous for playing Anita in the 1961 film version of the musical, in a zesty, broad performance in which she whips the voluminous folds of her lilac party dress while singing America. It was a turn that earned her the best supporting actress Oscar, and she will be in Spielberg’s new version, too, but Rita-as-Anita in the lilac dress will probably remain the image that most often comes to mind when her name is mentioned.
Director Mariem Pérez Riera celebrates a career that had...
- 12/1/2021
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Female directors had a better chance of having their documentaries screened at film festivals than their narrative features, according to a new study.
Women accounted for 42% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and cinematographers on documentaries that were featured in Sundance, SXSW, AFI, New York Film Festival and other annual celebrations of moviemaking. In contrast, they comprised 35% of those working on narrative features at those same festivals. The report, which was undertaken by San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, examined 7,452 credits on 582 films that screened at 20 high-profile film festivals in the U.S. The report captured a year in which female filmmakers, like Sian Heder (“Coda”), Amber Sealey (“No Man of God”), Mariem Pérez Riera (“Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It”) and Rebecca Hall (“Passing”), scored some of the biggest deals and best reviews of the film festival season.
Women accounted for 42% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and cinematographers on documentaries that were featured in Sundance, SXSW, AFI, New York Film Festival and other annual celebrations of moviemaking. In contrast, they comprised 35% of those working on narrative features at those same festivals. The report, which was undertaken by San Diego State University’s Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, examined 7,452 credits on 582 films that screened at 20 high-profile film festivals in the U.S. The report captured a year in which female filmmakers, like Sian Heder (“Coda”), Amber Sealey (“No Man of God”), Mariem Pérez Riera (“Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It”) and Rebecca Hall (“Passing”), scored some of the biggest deals and best reviews of the film festival season.
- 8/31/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
As she prepares for her upcoming 90th birthday, actress Rita Moreno can look forward to the release of Steven Spielberg’s highly-anticipated take on West Side Story, in which she plays a significant role, and to the PBS debut of a new documentary about her life.
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, will premiere as part of the pubcaster’s Emmy-winning American Masters series on Tuesday, October 5. With startling candor, Moreno explores every aspect of her career as a Puerto Rican immigrant to America possessed of extraordinary ability to sing, dance and act and a burning desire for stardom. But as a young woman of color, she was generally cast as random “ethnic” types in “accent” roles—playing Thai, Polynesian, Native American, generic Latina, often with makeup smeared on to darken her skin.
Speaking about the documentary at the PBS TCA presentation Thursday,...
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It, directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, will premiere as part of the pubcaster’s Emmy-winning American Masters series on Tuesday, October 5. With startling candor, Moreno explores every aspect of her career as a Puerto Rican immigrant to America possessed of extraordinary ability to sing, dance and act and a burning desire for stardom. But as a young woman of color, she was generally cast as random “ethnic” types in “accent” roles—playing Thai, Polynesian, Native American, generic Latina, often with makeup smeared on to darken her skin.
Speaking about the documentary at the PBS TCA presentation Thursday,...
- 8/12/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sparks Brothers, a documentary about a cult band by a brand-name director in Edgar Wright hits big screens this weekend, a felicitous one as New York and LA drop most capacity restrictions in theaters. The film about musician brothers Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks premiered at Sundance this year, notching a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes — all of which could hopefully give the arthouse market some long-term traction through the summer
Roadside Attractions debuts another pedigreed documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
The Sparks Brothers, from MRC Non-Fiction, was produced by Wright, Nira Park, George Hencken, and Laura Richardson. It’s a musical odyssey through decades with the brothers and bandmates featuring passionate tributes from Beck, Flea, Jane Wiedlin, Jack Antonoff and Patton Oswalt. It opens on 543 screens in 200 markets.
“People asked to play it. They wanted to play it.
Roadside Attractions debuts another pedigreed documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
The Sparks Brothers, from MRC Non-Fiction, was produced by Wright, Nira Park, George Hencken, and Laura Richardson. It’s a musical odyssey through decades with the brothers and bandmates featuring passionate tributes from Beck, Flea, Jane Wiedlin, Jack Antonoff and Patton Oswalt. It opens on 543 screens in 200 markets.
“People asked to play it. They wanted to play it.
- 6/18/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It’ Film Review: Documentary Honors a Showbiz Legend
This review of “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It” was first published at the film’s premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival
For Puerto Rican goddess Rita Moreno, one of the greatest performers — Latina or otherwise — ever to devour our screens with her scintillating talent, the measure of that greatness rests in her career longevity running parallel with integrity. The pedestal of hard-earned success from which she now gazes at Hollywood and its perfidious antics was, at least in the early years, built on perseverance amidst dissatisfaction.
Director Mariem Pérez Riera’s definitive documentary on everything that has colored Moreno’s worldview in nearly nine decades, “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,” opens with the dazzling, and often deceiving, glory of her trophies and accolades as she prepares for a Cuban-themed birthday party. As soon as the beloved Egot winner enters the frame,...
For Puerto Rican goddess Rita Moreno, one of the greatest performers — Latina or otherwise — ever to devour our screens with her scintillating talent, the measure of that greatness rests in her career longevity running parallel with integrity. The pedestal of hard-earned success from which she now gazes at Hollywood and its perfidious antics was, at least in the early years, built on perseverance amidst dissatisfaction.
Director Mariem Pérez Riera’s definitive documentary on everything that has colored Moreno’s worldview in nearly nine decades, “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,” opens with the dazzling, and often deceiving, glory of her trophies and accolades as she prepares for a Cuban-themed birthday party. As soon as the beloved Egot winner enters the frame,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
Sally Aitken’s Playing With Sharks, the Sundance title about pioneering marine conservationist Valerie Taylor, is set to open newportFILM’s lineup of documentaries for its 12th annual summer series, newportFILM Outdoors.
The outdoor film showcase will close with Corey McLean’s Havana Libre, which portrays a drive to legitimize surfing in Cuba.
The June 17 to Sept. 9 documentary lineup also includes Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) from Searchlight, Jeremy Workman’s Lily Topples the World from discovery+ and Greenwich Entertainment, and Mariem Pérez Riera’s festival favorite Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Just Decided to Go ...
The outdoor film showcase will close with Corey McLean’s Havana Libre, which portrays a drive to legitimize surfing in Cuba.
The June 17 to Sept. 9 documentary lineup also includes Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) from Searchlight, Jeremy Workman’s Lily Topples the World from discovery+ and Greenwich Entertainment, and Mariem Pérez Riera’s festival favorite Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Just Decided to Go ...
- 6/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sally Aitken’s Playing With Sharks, the Sundance title about pioneering marine conservationist Valerie Taylor, is set to open newportFILM’s lineup of documentaries for its 12th annual summer series, newportFILM Outdoors.
The outdoor film showcase will close with Corey McLean’s Havana Libre, which portrays a drive to legitimize surfing in Cuba.
The June 17 to Sept. 9 documentary lineup also includes Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) from Searchlight, Jeremy Workman’s Lily Topples the World from discovery+ and Greenwich Entertainment, and Mariem Pérez Riera’s festival favorite Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Just Decided to Go ...
The outdoor film showcase will close with Corey McLean’s Havana Libre, which portrays a drive to legitimize surfing in Cuba.
The June 17 to Sept. 9 documentary lineup also includes Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) from Searchlight, Jeremy Workman’s Lily Topples the World from discovery+ and Greenwich Entertainment, and Mariem Pérez Riera’s festival favorite Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Just Decided to Go ...
- 6/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hollywood icon Rita Moreno went for it — and the message is loud and clear.
Speaking to an audience at the Tribeca Festival 2021 premiere of her new uninhibited documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,’ the legendary Egot winner boldly said about the filming, “I made a promise to myself that I would be exceedingly truthful. I thought that was important… There isn’t one iota of bullshit.”
At one of the world’s first in-person film festivals in over a year, Moreno had the audience thundering with applause during a two-minute ovation. The trailblazer then took the stage for a candid panel discussion as the sun set over the outdoor Hudson River theater at Pier 76.
The very personal documentary about Moreno’s storied life is the new crowning achievement taking a front place on her trophy mantle.
“This is the dream,” she told Variety earlier...
Speaking to an audience at the Tribeca Festival 2021 premiere of her new uninhibited documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It,’ the legendary Egot winner boldly said about the filming, “I made a promise to myself that I would be exceedingly truthful. I thought that was important… There isn’t one iota of bullshit.”
At one of the world’s first in-person film festivals in over a year, Moreno had the audience thundering with applause during a two-minute ovation. The trailblazer then took the stage for a candid panel discussion as the sun set over the outdoor Hudson River theater at Pier 76.
The very personal documentary about Moreno’s storied life is the new crowning achievement taking a front place on her trophy mantle.
“This is the dream,” she told Variety earlier...
- 6/15/2021
- by Elizabeth Taylor
- Variety Film + TV
With a slimmer lineup and much of the action taking place online rather than in Park City, the 2021 Sundance Film Festival will be anything but normal. But if early sales activity is any indication, the hybrid virtual/in-person festival will still serve as a key acquisitions market for distributors.
News of the first deals broke on December 16, the day after Sundance revealed its full slate of 72 features. That’s when Bleecker Street announced it has acquired North American rights to Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together” and Magnolia Pictures revealed it has nabbed Rodney Ascher’s Midnight section pick “A Glitch in the Matrix.”
While those two movies come from established filmmakers, over half of the festival lineup comes from first-time feature directors. Over 90 percent of the slate are world premieres.
That suggests there is plenty of opportunity for the discovery of hidden gems. But with streaming — coupled with satellite screenings...
News of the first deals broke on December 16, the day after Sundance revealed its full slate of 72 features. That’s when Bleecker Street announced it has acquired North American rights to Nikole Beckwith’s “Together Together” and Magnolia Pictures revealed it has nabbed Rodney Ascher’s Midnight section pick “A Glitch in the Matrix.”
While those two movies come from established filmmakers, over half of the festival lineup comes from first-time feature directors. Over 90 percent of the slate are world premieres.
That suggests there is plenty of opportunity for the discovery of hidden gems. But with streaming — coupled with satellite screenings...
- 6/8/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Tribeca Film Festival’s Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer (in Paris) with Anne-Katrin Titze (in New York) agrees with Frances McDormand’s Oscar speech: “We have to teach a young generation to see a film on a big screen.”
Tribeca Film Festival’s Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer is always a good person to talk cinema. We covered in our conversation the Opening Night selection, Jon M Chu’s adaption of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights; Mariem Pérez Riera’s Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It; Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show; Andrew Gaynord’s All My Friends Hate Me with Tom Stourton; Thomas Robsahm and Aslaug Holm’s A-ha the Movie; Thomas Daneskov’s Wild Men; Shariff Korver’s Do Not Hesitate; Adam Leon’s Italian Studies, starring Vanessa Kirby; Morgan Neville’s Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain; Warwick Ross...
Tribeca Film Festival’s Artistic Director Frédéric Boyer is always a good person to talk cinema. We covered in our conversation the Opening Night selection, Jon M Chu’s adaption of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights; Mariem Pérez Riera’s Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It; Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show; Andrew Gaynord’s All My Friends Hate Me with Tom Stourton; Thomas Robsahm and Aslaug Holm’s A-ha the Movie; Thomas Daneskov’s Wild Men; Shariff Korver’s Do Not Hesitate; Adam Leon’s Italian Studies, starring Vanessa Kirby; Morgan Neville’s Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain; Warwick Ross...
- 5/20/2021
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Rita Moreno gets her own documentary with Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It. The Mariem Pérez Riera-directed documentary covers Moreno’s lengthy career, from when she became the sole money-earner for her family at the age of 16, to her time under contract in Hollywood, becoming the first Latina actress to win an […]
The post ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It’ Trailer: The Egot Winning Icon Gets The Documentary Treatment appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It’ Trailer: The Egot Winning Icon Gets The Documentary Treatment appeared first on /Film.
- 4/25/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
"She just brings such authority and such honesty to whatever she's playing." Roadside Attractions debuted an official trailer for a documentary film titled Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It, made by Puerto Rican filmmaker Mariem Pérez Riera. This first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and also played at the Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, and Sarasota Film Festivals. The film offers a celebratory look at the life and 70+ year career of Rita Moreno, from her humble beginnings in Puerto Rico to her success on Broadway and in Hollywood where she broke down barriers, and fought for representation and forged a path for new generations of artists. The doc feature "illuminates the humor and the grace of Moreno, as well as lesser-known struggles faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and serious...
- 4/22/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Rita Moreno has been breaking the glass ceiling in Hollywood since she arrived in 1950. Now, audiences are going to see and hear about everything in her new documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For it.”
Moreno is known to most audiences for being just one of four Latinos to ever win an Academy Award and, at last count, the only Latina to win Best Actress. But Moreno is far more than just the role of Anita in “West Side Story.” As the documentary lays out, she suffered sexual harassment and abuse, as well as racism in the industry.
The film will also chart Moreno’s life in Puerto Rico, as well as her relationships and transition into becoming a celebrated television star and Egot winner.
Alongside that, her relationship with actor Marlon Brando brought her all manner of emotional traumas it took years for her to overcome.
Moreno is known to most audiences for being just one of four Latinos to ever win an Academy Award and, at last count, the only Latina to win Best Actress. But Moreno is far more than just the role of Anita in “West Side Story.” As the documentary lays out, she suffered sexual harassment and abuse, as well as racism in the industry.
The film will also chart Moreno’s life in Puerto Rico, as well as her relationships and transition into becoming a celebrated television star and Egot winner.
Alongside that, her relationship with actor Marlon Brando brought her all manner of emotional traumas it took years for her to overcome.
- 4/22/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
The Sarasota Film Festival is set to open with director Mariem Pérez Riera and Roadside Attractions’ documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It, organizers said Friday.
The film recounts performer Rita Moreno’s career from her upbringing in Puerto Rico to her success on Broadway and in Hollywood. And Bleecker Street’s Dream Horse, a horse racing drama that stars Toni Collette and Damian Lewis and is directed by Euros Lyn, will close the April 30 to May 9 event.
The 23rd annual Sarasota festival intends to take place with virtual and in-person events amid the pandemic....
The film recounts performer Rita Moreno’s career from her upbringing in Puerto Rico to her success on Broadway and in Hollywood. And Bleecker Street’s Dream Horse, a horse racing drama that stars Toni Collette and Damian Lewis and is directed by Euros Lyn, will close the April 30 to May 9 event.
The 23rd annual Sarasota festival intends to take place with virtual and in-person events amid the pandemic....
The Sarasota Film Festival is set to open with director Mariem Pérez Riera and Roadside Attractions’ documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It, organizers said Friday.
The film recounts performer Rita Moreno’s career from her upbringing in Puerto Rico to her success on Broadway and in Hollywood. And Bleecker Street’s Dream Horse, a horse racing drama that stars Toni Collette and Damian Lewis and is directed by Euros Lyn, will close the April 30 to May 9 event.
The 23rd annual Sarasota festival intends to take place with virtual and in-person events amid the pandemic....
The film recounts performer Rita Moreno’s career from her upbringing in Puerto Rico to her success on Broadway and in Hollywood. And Bleecker Street’s Dream Horse, a horse racing drama that stars Toni Collette and Damian Lewis and is directed by Euros Lyn, will close the April 30 to May 9 event.
The 23rd annual Sarasota festival intends to take place with virtual and in-person events amid the pandemic....
The story of Rita Moreno’s triumphant career is coming to theaters this summer.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
Following its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Roadside Attractions has acquired the rights to “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” It will debut in theaters on June 18.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience, and the heights she continues to achieve are a true crowd pleasing uplift after the year we’ve all had,” said Roadside Attractions co-presidents Howard Cohen and Eric d’Arbeloff.
On behalf of the filmmakers, Matt Burke and Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment negotiated the deal with Cohen and Angel An, Roadside Attractions’ senior director of acquisitions. PBS’ “American Masters” still holds a TV license for the documentary and will present the U.S. broadcast premiere after a broad theatrical release.
- 3/29/2021
- by Haley Bosselman
- Variety Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired North American distribution rights on the 2021 Sundance Film Festival documentary Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
A release is planned for June 18. Roadside’s deal excludes the TV license to PBS’ American Masters, which will present the exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere of the docu after it hits theaters.
In addition to Moreno, others featured in the Mariem Pérez Riera-directed doc include George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo.
The docu covers Moreno’s 70-year-plus career rise and struggles, from her beginnings in poverty on a Puerto Rican farm to becoming a rare Egot winner. She’s the first Latina actress to win an Oscar (for her role as Anita in 1961’s West Side Story). Despite the win, studios continued...
- 3/29/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
PBS’ American Masters to present exclusive US broadcast premiere after theatrical release.
Roadside Attractions has acquired North American rights excluding TV to 2021 Sundance documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
PBS’ American Masters will present the exclusive US broadcast premiere after a June 18 theatrical release.
The film charts the career of Moreno, who was born in humble surroundings in Puerto Rico and overcame racism to establish herself as a star and rare winner of the Egot – an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno became the first Latina actress...
Roadside Attractions has acquired North American rights excluding TV to 2021 Sundance documentary Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It.
PBS’ American Masters will present the exclusive US broadcast premiere after a June 18 theatrical release.
The film charts the career of Moreno, who was born in humble surroundings in Puerto Rico and overcame racism to establish herself as a star and rare winner of the Egot – an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno became the first Latina actress...
- 3/29/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roadside Attractions has picked up the North American rights to Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It, a documentary about the trailblazer in Latina representation after a world premiere at Sundance.
A theatrical release on June 18 is planned for the documentary produced for PBS’ American Masters series. Mariem Pérez Riera’s film about Moreno and her seven-decade career onstage and -screen illustrates the mountains she climbed in American entertainment and the obstacles she faced getting to the top.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience,...
A theatrical release on June 18 is planned for the documentary produced for PBS’ American Masters series. Mariem Pérez Riera’s film about Moreno and her seven-decade career onstage and -screen illustrates the mountains she climbed in American entertainment and the obstacles she faced getting to the top.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience,...
- 3/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has picked up the North American rights to Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It, a documentary about the trailblazer in Latina representation after a world premiere at Sundance.
A theatrical release on June 18 is planned for the documentary produced for PBS’ American Masters series. Mariem Pérez Riera’s film about Moreno and her seven-decade career onstage and -screen illustrates the mountains she climbed in American entertainment and the obstacles she faced getting to the top.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience,...
A theatrical release on June 18 is planned for the documentary produced for PBS’ American Masters series. Mariem Pérez Riera’s film about Moreno and her seven-decade career onstage and -screen illustrates the mountains she climbed in American entertainment and the obstacles she faced getting to the top.
“Stars like Rita are few and far between, her showbiz story and personal remembrances resonate for a large, diverse audience,...
- 3/29/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rita Moreno stands as one of the few entertainers to attain Egot status. Mariem Pérez Riera intimate documentary on the West Side Story star the racism Moreno faced as a Puerto Rican immigrant with aplomb, featuring interviews other iconic entertainers such as Gloria Estefan, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria. Editor Kevin Klauber shares the importance of recontextualizing Moreno’s story through a feminist lens. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Klauber: I was contacted by Brent Miller after being recommended […]
The post "This Film Needed to Embody a Feminist Perspective": Editor Kevin Klauber on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "This Film Needed to Embody a Feminist Perspective": Editor Kevin Klauber on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/3/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Rita Moreno stands as one of the few entertainers to attain Egot status. Mariem Pérez Riera intimate documentary on the West Side Story star the racism Moreno faced as a Puerto Rican immigrant with aplomb, featuring interviews other iconic entertainers such as Gloria Estefan, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria. Editor Kevin Klauber shares the importance of recontextualizing Moreno’s story through a feminist lens. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Klauber: I was contacted by Brent Miller after being recommended […]
The post "This Film Needed to Embody a Feminist Perspective": Editor Kevin Klauber on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "This Film Needed to Embody a Feminist Perspective": Editor Kevin Klauber on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/3/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
You don’t find subjects much more disarming than Rita Moreno, whose seven-decade career on stage and screen is described in Mariem Pérez Riera’s celebratory documentary as both the essence of the American Dream and the tenacious attainment of it despite dispiriting obstacles. “You must never really believe anything about your fame and all that kind of bullshit,” says Moreno with characteristic unfiltered charm. “Yeah, it goes up and down. Right now, it’s up.” Built around an in-depth interview conducted soon after the star’s 87th birthday in her home in the hills of ...
You don’t find subjects much more disarming than Rita Moreno, whose seven-decade career on stage and screen is described in Mariem Pérez Riera’s celebratory documentary as both the essence of the American Dream and the tenacious attainment of it despite dispiriting obstacles. “You must never really believe anything about your fame and all that kind of bullshit,” says Moreno with characteristic unfiltered charm. “Yeah, it goes up and down. Right now, it’s up.” Built around an in-depth interview conducted soon after the star’s 87th birthday in her home in the hills of ...
Rita Moreno stands as one of the rare few entertainers to attain Egot status. Mariem Pérez Riera intimate documentary on the West Side Story star the racism Moreno faced as a Puerto Rican immigrant with aplomb, featuring interviews other iconic entertainers such as Gloria Estefan, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria. Dp Pj López discusses how they captured the authentic essence of a beloved figure in movie history. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? López: I had already worked with […]
The post "Most of the Atmosphere Was Fully Created on Set": Dp Pj López on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Most of the Atmosphere Was Fully Created on Set": Dp Pj López on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/1/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Rita Moreno stands as one of the rare few entertainers to attain Egot status. Mariem Pérez Riera intimate documentary on the West Side Story star the racism Moreno faced as a Puerto Rican immigrant with aplomb, featuring interviews other iconic entertainers such as Gloria Estefan, Whoopi Goldberg and Eva Longoria. Dp Pj López discusses how they captured the authentic essence of a beloved figure in movie history. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? López: I had already worked with […]
The post "Most of the Atmosphere Was Fully Created on Set": Dp Pj López on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Most of the Atmosphere Was Fully Created on Set": Dp Pj López on Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/1/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Few if any stars can boast the kind of resume held by the legendary Rita Moreno. In 1962, after her breakthrough performance in “West Side Story,” Moreno became the first Hispanic actress to win an Oscar. She followed that honor with a Grammy Award, two Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and even a Peabody Award. She’s the first Latino actor to earn the coveted Egot, and thanks to that 2019 honor from the Peabody Awards organization, only the third person to ever win all five of those prestigious awards after Barbra Streisand and Mike Nichols.
But after a career of so many firsts — as well as a history of activism that found Moreno at the front of the civil rights movement as well as the fight for abortion rights — how does Moreno herself view her legacy?
“I’m not a person who thinks of legacy. It’s like people say something you’ve become the representative.
But after a career of so many firsts — as well as a history of activism that found Moreno at the front of the civil rights movement as well as the fight for abortion rights — how does Moreno herself view her legacy?
“I’m not a person who thinks of legacy. It’s like people say something you’ve become the representative.
- 1/29/2021
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Whatever you think you know about Rita Moreno, you barely know the half of it. A lively and illuminating new documentary about the incomparable actress, singer, and dancer proves that no matter how hard any person or industry tries to pigeonhole Rita Moreno, she will surprise at every skirt-flipping turn. The Puerto Rican-American icon may forever be remembered as Anita in “West Side Story,” for which she became the first Latina to win an Oscar, but “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It” reveals much more about her mind-blowing seven-decade career in show business. And from her beginnings in the studio system as a teenager to breaking barriers as a woman of color in Hollywood — it was no cakewalk.
At a breezy but jam-packed 89 minutes, “Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It” follows Moreno’s life chronologically, and if some chapters feel brief it...
At a breezy but jam-packed 89 minutes, “Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It” follows Moreno’s life chronologically, and if some chapters feel brief it...
- 1/29/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Rita Moreno’s most indelible screen moment, which had her and a “West Side Story” ensemble sizing up the pros and cons of their adopted U.S. homeland, remains an eternally clever musical argument over whether “America” is a dream or nightmare for immigrants, settling in at a 50/50 split. The balance is skewed more along the lines of 80/20, in favor of dream, for the star herself in “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It.” Premiering at Sundance, the documentary from the theatrical wing of “American Masters” cheerfully jumps from one heartening career reinvention to the next, with sobering lulls to ponder what an even more prolific filmography she might have had without profligate racism and sexism standing in her path.
The list of executive producers includes longtime pal and partner-in-social-consciousness Norman Lear, as well as the man who’s followed in Moreno’s footsteps as the...
The list of executive producers includes longtime pal and partner-in-social-consciousness Norman Lear, as well as the man who’s followed in Moreno’s footsteps as the...
- 1/29/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
How did events of 2020—any of them—change your film, either in the way you approached it, produced it, post-produced it, or are now thinking about it? I finished the final cut of the documentary on Friday, March 13th, 2020. That was the deadline to lock the film in order to move on to color correction and sound mix. That night, I had watched the film one last time before leaving the editing room and as I was driving home, an enormous sadness seized me. At first I couldn’t explain what it was, but then I realized I wasn’t satisfied with […]
The post "Art Is Never Finished, Only Abandoned": Director Mariem Pérez Riera | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Art Is Never Finished, Only Abandoned": Director Mariem Pérez Riera | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
How did events of 2020—any of them—change your film, either in the way you approached it, produced it, post-produced it, or are now thinking about it? I finished the final cut of the documentary on Friday, March 13th, 2020. That was the deadline to lock the film in order to move on to color correction and sound mix. That night, I had watched the film one last time before leaving the editing room and as I was driving home, an enormous sadness seized me. At first I couldn’t explain what it was, but then I realized I wasn’t satisfied with […]
The post "Art Is Never Finished, Only Abandoned": Director Mariem Pérez Riera | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "Art Is Never Finished, Only Abandoned": Director Mariem Pérez Riera | Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided Go For It first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Documentary subjects don’t come much more peppy than Rita Moreno, who despite declaring in the opening minutes that “you can tell I’m not a real star because someone else would be doing this” as she busily unwraps cutlery, has the sort of charisma that money can’t buy.
In addition to being funny and sharp as a tack, at 87, when the film was shot, she’s not only incredibly open about her life and experiences, good and bad, but also has a talent for relating these stories with witty and engaging charm.
Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, as part of the ever-reliable American Masters series for PBS, that also includes the likes of Oliver Sacks: His Own Life and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, the filmmaker knows a good subject when she sees it and wisely allows Moreno to stay in the spotlight. It’s a place...
In addition to being funny and sharp as a tack, at 87, when the film was shot, she’s not only incredibly open about her life and experiences, good and bad, but also has a talent for relating these stories with witty and engaging charm.
Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, as part of the ever-reliable American Masters series for PBS, that also includes the likes of Oliver Sacks: His Own Life and Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, the filmmaker knows a good subject when she sees it and wisely allows Moreno to stay in the spotlight. It’s a place...
- 1/29/2021
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
For the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, IndieWire is again partnering with Canada Goose for a series of events to celebrate the female filmmakers showing new films at this year’s fest, including a private virtual version of our annual sit-down dinner honoring filmmakers. While this year’s mixer will look a little bit different than years past, the Zoom-based event promises to bring together some of indie film’s best and brightest, albeit through virtual means.
At this year’s Sundance, female filmmakers aren’t in short supply: 50 percent were directed by one or more women. Their projects include some of the hottest at the festival, including Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” Robin Wright’s “Land,” Sian Heder’s “Coda,” Nanfu Wang’s “In the Same Breath,” and Mona Fastvold’s “The World to Come.”
And that’s just one piece of Sundance’s offerings, as some of the best films of...
At this year’s Sundance, female filmmakers aren’t in short supply: 50 percent were directed by one or more women. Their projects include some of the hottest at the festival, including Rebecca Hall’s “Passing,” Robin Wright’s “Land,” Sian Heder’s “Coda,” Nanfu Wang’s “In the Same Breath,” and Mona Fastvold’s “The World to Come.”
And that’s just one piece of Sundance’s offerings, as some of the best films of...
- 1/28/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Against the backdrop of a pandemic, maybe diversity at Sundance shouldn’t be at the fore. Then again, it’s well documented that Covid-19 has predominantly affected Black and brown people across the country, and it’s been particularly hard on filmmakers from marginalized communities, especially those from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds.
At Sundance 2021, the organization continues to support its mission to be consistently inclusive, especially in its competitive sections. In this year’s slate of 72 feature-length films, 27 are directed by a filmmaker of color and/or tell stories about people of color — about 38 percent. It almost reflects the country’s general population, which, according to the United States Census Bureau, is comprised roughly of 42 percent people of color.
Among the 40 films in the four main competition categories, 14 titles, or 35 percent, were directed by people of color. That compares to 44 percent last year, which was an all-time high for the festival.
At Sundance 2021, the organization continues to support its mission to be consistently inclusive, especially in its competitive sections. In this year’s slate of 72 feature-length films, 27 are directed by a filmmaker of color and/or tell stories about people of color — about 38 percent. It almost reflects the country’s general population, which, according to the United States Census Bureau, is comprised roughly of 42 percent people of color.
Among the 40 films in the four main competition categories, 14 titles, or 35 percent, were directed by people of color. That compares to 44 percent last year, which was an all-time high for the festival.
- 1/28/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
This year’s Sundance is shorter, virtual, is not local to just Park City and has a new director for the first time in years. But what has not changed is that Sundance remains one of the best marketplaces for independent films. This year’s lineup for the festival set for Jan. 28-Feb. 3 even has some hopeful Oscar contenders such as Robin Wright’s “Land” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” from Warner Bros., and we’ve already seen a few titles such as “Together Together,” “The World to Come” and “The Most Beautiful Boy in the World” find homes. But while there may be fewer films overall and without the in-person wheeling and dealing, the market figures to be just as robust with some exciting movies up for sale.
“Passing”
Actress Rebecca Hall is making her directorial debut on “Passing,” a psychological thriller set in 1920s New York and...
“Passing”
Actress Rebecca Hall is making her directorial debut on “Passing,” a psychological thriller set in 1920s New York and...
- 1/28/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Female directors account for exactly 50% of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival slate, while 51% of filmmakers are people of color. Additionally, 15% of directors identify as LGBTQ+ and 4% identify as non-binary.
The diverse lineup put forward by Sundance’s new director, Tabitha Jackson, represents an uptick from last year, when people of color directed more than half of the films in competition but less than half of the full festival slate. For 2021, 70 of the 140 films and projects — including features, shorts and New Frontier category of art projects — were directed by one or more women, and 71 were directed by a person of color.
In the U.S. Dramatic competition specifically, which for the last several years has always had a near-even split in terms of representation, half of the competing directors are women and 40% are Bipoc. Women directed even more of the films in the documentary category, representing 64% of the 11 directors in the group,...
The diverse lineup put forward by Sundance’s new director, Tabitha Jackson, represents an uptick from last year, when people of color directed more than half of the films in competition but less than half of the full festival slate. For 2021, 70 of the 140 films and projects — including features, shorts and New Frontier category of art projects — were directed by one or more women, and 71 were directed by a person of color.
In the U.S. Dramatic competition specifically, which for the last several years has always had a near-even split in terms of representation, half of the competing directors are women and 40% are Bipoc. Women directed even more of the films in the documentary category, representing 64% of the 11 directors in the group,...
- 12/15/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Questlove’s film about the Harlem Cultural Festival, plus docs on Rita Moreno and the band Sparks, are among the music-related projects set to screen at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. The 2021 fest will take place digitally, January 28th through February 3rd, with passes and tickets going on sale on January 7th.
Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) marks the drummer’s directorial debut, and the film will have its world premiere at Sundance and screen as part of the U.S. Documentary Competition.
Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) marks the drummer’s directorial debut, and the film will have its world premiere at Sundance and screen as part of the U.S. Documentary Competition.
- 12/15/2020
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
“It’s been an absolute beast,” says festival director Tabitha Jackson.
Rebecca Hall’s feature directorial debut Passing starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, Metro Manila director Sean Ellis’ horror Eight For Silver, and Nikole Beckwith’s comedy Together Together starring Ed Helms are among 72 features selected for 2021 Sundance Film Festival, which runs online and in select US arthouse venues from January 28-February 3.
The line-up, announced on Tuesday (December 15), includes One For The Road, Thai filmmaker Baz Poonpiriya’s follow-up to Bad Genius; Edgar Wright’s music documentary The Sparks Brothers; Robin Wright’s feature directorial debut Land; Ben Wheatley...
Rebecca Hall’s feature directorial debut Passing starring Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, Metro Manila director Sean Ellis’ horror Eight For Silver, and Nikole Beckwith’s comedy Together Together starring Ed Helms are among 72 features selected for 2021 Sundance Film Festival, which runs online and in select US arthouse venues from January 28-February 3.
The line-up, announced on Tuesday (December 15), includes One For The Road, Thai filmmaker Baz Poonpiriya’s follow-up to Bad Genius; Edgar Wright’s music documentary The Sparks Brothers; Robin Wright’s feature directorial debut Land; Ben Wheatley...
- 12/15/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda have partnered on a new doc exploring the life of West Side Story and One Day At A Time star Rita Moreno.
The pair are working up Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It (w/t) for PBS and its Thirteen strand. The film, which will premiere in 2020, will explore the Puerto Rican actor’s 70 year career and will feature interviews with Moreno, Lear, Miranda, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera.
It is produced by Norman Lear’s Act III Productions in association with Maramara and executive producer Miranda.
It will explore how she went from being born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, she immigrated to New York City and became the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
The pair are working up Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It (w/t) for PBS and its Thirteen strand. The film, which will premiere in 2020, will explore the Puerto Rican actor’s 70 year career and will feature interviews with Moreno, Lear, Miranda, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally and Chita Rivera.
It is produced by Norman Lear’s Act III Productions in association with Maramara and executive producer Miranda.
It will explore how she went from being born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, she immigrated to New York City and became the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award for her role as Anita in West Side Story.
- 7/29/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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