Cleveland International Film Festival } March 30 – April 10, 2022

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Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It

Year: 2020
Country: UNITED STATES
Run Time: 90 minutes

Rita Moreno, an EGOT-winner with 70 years in the entertainment industry, has become a revolutionary icon for women and the Latinx community. But she had to overcome rampant racism and sexism during her arduous rise to stardom. In her early career, Moreno was relegated to stereotypical roles of ethnic minorities. Even after making history as the first Latina actress to receive an Oscar^® for her role as Anita in “West Side Story” (1961), the trend continued. Yet, she challenged typecasting and advocated for improved Latinx representation. Deeply intimate interviews with the star offer somber reflections on sexism and sexual abuse in Hollywood, recount a toxic seven-year relationship with Marlon Brando, and go behind the scenes of her most iconic performances. The captivating documentary is a candid portrait of Moreno’s legendary life and a career dedicated to fostering more authentic representation in storytelling and the creative arts. RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT also features celebrity interviews from Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Eva Longoria, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and more! — R.R.