“Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It” has found a home following its well-received world premiere at Sundance Film Festival. Roadside Attractions snagged rights to Mariem Pérez Riera’s documentary tribute to Moreno, the first Latina to win an Oscar, with plans to release it theatrically June 18, a press release announced. PBS’ “American Masters” is presenting the U.S. broadcast premiere of the doc after its theater run.
Pérez Riera explores the sexism, sexual abuse, offers for stereotypical roles, and toxic relationships Moreno struggled with on her path to stardom.
“As a Puerto Rican woman myself, I have a different perspective about Rita,” the director told us. “She is a true icon for us. She represents that community of Puerto Ricans who have left the island for a better life and as a Puerto Rican, I’ve followed her story all my life.” She added, “I want this film to inspire women to speak up and to reach their greatest freedom and happiness. Women are always fighting a silent war against insecurities that for generations have been ingrained in limiting beliefs based on a male-dominated culture. This film shows a woman who encountered many obstacles — not only as a woman, but also as an immigrant Puerto Rican woman,” she explained. “Her greatest achievement is not all her accolades, but finally becoming her true self. I hope people, including men, can find inspiration in her story to embrace their true selves.”
Pérez Riera’s son, Marcel Ruiz, played Moreno’s grandson on “One Day at a Time.”
“Rita is an incredible inspiration to so many, hers is a success story for all women who feel alone as they struggle to assert themselves with courage and bravery against heavy odds,” Pérez Riera said in a statement. “We are so thrilled to bring Rita to theaters for audiences to spend time with a woman who, when speaking about herself, speaks to and for a lot of us.”
A member of the EGOT club, Moreno won Emmys for “The Rockford Files” and “The Muppet Show,” a Grammy for children’s album “The Electric Company,” an Oscar for “West Side Story,” and a Tony for “The Ritz.”
Pérez Riera’s other credits include “Cuando lo pequeño se hace grande” and “Maldeamores.”
