Over five decades after co-starring in the original musical feature, Rita Moreno is currently filming Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story.” “Chamacas” director Mariem Pérez Riera will pay tribute to the iconic actor’s many contributions to film, TV, and theater spanning years and genres for PBS’ “American Masters.”
Set to premiere in 2020 on PBS, the doc is currently titled “Rita Moreno: The Girl Who Decided to Go For It.” The project will “explore how she went from being born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, eventually 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,'” according to Deadline. “It will discover how she managed to deal with pernicious Hollywood sexism and sexual abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and an attempted suicide a year before she won her Oscar.”
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and small screen pioneer Norman Lear are among “The Girl Who Decided to Go For It’s” exec producers, and Riera will co-produce.
Interviewees include Moreno, Gloria Estefan, Eva Longoria, and Justine Machado. The latter stars alongside Moreno in “One Day at a Time,” a reboot of Lear’s classic sitcom on which he serves as exec producer. Netflix cancelled the critically acclaimed series earlier this year, but Pop TV renewed it for a fourth season.
“As a filmmaker, woman, and Puerto Rican, I am proud to have the opportunity to tell Rita’s story,” said Riera. “Her many victories in the face of prejudice are an inspiration to me. Hopefully, this film will give strength to the women all over the world, who today, face a similar fight towards equality.”
Moreno added, “How I wish my Puerto Rican mother were alive to see this: her child’s story being celebrated by the likes of ‘American Masters.’ It is not something she or I could ever have imagined. I’m astonished. I’m humbled.”
In addition to her Oscar, Moreno has received an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony, making her an EGOT.