Beyond the Border
Latino Representation in Hollywood

Since the 1920s, Hollywood cast Latinos as bandits, exotic dancers, or anonymous foreigners, often even replaced by white actors in disguise. But across the decades, the community pushed back. Icons like Rita Moreno and Edward James Olmos, fueled by the social movements of the ’60s and ’70s, opened the door to a more authentic presence on screen.

Today, filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuarón, along with actors such as Pedro Pascal and America Ferrera, break stereotypes and bring Latino heritage into universal stories. Featuring archives, film clips, and voices from within the community, including John Leguizamo, Jimmy Smits, Jose Zuniga, Esai Morales, and Edward James Olmos, this documentary takes us from the black-and-white era to today’s cinema, showing how representation shapes the way we imagine the world.

Film Directors & Writers: Clara Kuperberg & Julia Kuperberg
Production: Wichita Films
Co production: Kali Pictures
Producers: Clara Kuperberg & Julia Kuperberg
Co producer: Martine Melloul
Executive Producer: Daniel Talbott
Network: TCM Cinéma
Year: 2026
Distribution: Prime Entertainment Group
Running Time: 80 minutes

Casting

John Leguizamo
Actor

Esai Morales
Actor

Jimmy Smits
Actor

Edward James Olmos
Actor

Jose Zuniga
Actor

Gregory Nava
Film Director

Patricia Riggen
Film Director

Carla Hool
Casting director

Daniel Villarreal
Actor

Ingrid Oliu
Actress

Natalia Molina
Historian

Luis Reyes
Film Historian