"Latino Americans" is the first documentary about the lives of Latinos in the United States and in which actress Rita Moreno points out the great prejudices against Hispanics around the nation.
According to People, the documentary seeks to represent 500 years of Latino history in the United States, gathering the testimonials of 100 persons, among which actress Rita Moreno stands out. Thanks to the documentary, one can see the evolution of "Latino identity" starting in the XVI century.
In the documentary, Rita Moreno narrates her life and career as character Anita in "West Side Story" where she says, "I understood the character with my eyes closed. When we acted the famous scene in the candy store, the guys insulted me (as a part of the script) and a world I had purposely forgotten came back to me. For many years, I knew I was a spic and I cried so much, I couldn't stop. Nobody knew what was happening... they were terrified... it was the first time this kind of racial hate was represented in cinema."
The Puerto Rican actress was the only Latina that managed to have lines in "West Side Story" because the other Puerto Rican roles were played by American actors. Thanks to her role, Rita Moreno won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1962.
"My heart was beating very strongly because I thought Judy Garland was going to win for 'Judgment in Nuremberg'. When they announced my name, the first thing I thought to myself was: 'Don't run'. Of course I ran, and of course, I didn't have a speech ready," said the actress, recalling the moment when she became the first Puerto Rican actress to win an Oscar.
The actress' short speech was "I can't believe it. Dear god! I leave you with that." Moreno is one of the few Latinas that have won that prestigious award, while also having won the Grammy, Tony and Emmy awards.
The second part of the documentary "Latino Americans" which was initially broadcast Tuesday on PBS, can also be seen online. Dolores Huerta, Herman Badillo and Gloria Estefan also participate in it.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
