Making waves across the festival circuit, Street Smart: Lessons from a TV Icon is the debut feature documentary from director Ernie Bustamante. An Emmy-nominated television writer turned indie filmmaker, Bustamante centres his work on Latino/a characters, drawing from his own roots in the Arizona desert. The film offers a way overdue film portrait of Sonia Manzano, known to millions as “Maria” from Sesame Street.

Experienced through personal interviews and archival footage, Street Smart traces Manzano’s journey from a young girl finding refuge in television in the South Bronx to becoming the first Latina with a regular role on American television in a regular role. The film highlights Manzano’s pivotal role in reshaping children’s media for many generations.

Setting the Scene

At just 21 years old, Manzano landed the iconic role of “Maria” on Sesame Street. She quickly became a standout on the revolutionary children’s show, known for her comedic timing and honest, heartfelt performances.

The film takes us to South Bronx, where Manzano’s grew up in a neighborhood often defined by struggle. Through re-enactments we see how television served as both inspiration and escape for the aspiring Nuyorican actress. As the film progresses, we come to understand her historic casting on Sesame Street, breaking barriers in an industry that did not directly represent the diversity of its audience. The documentary also makes time to highlight Manzano’s work as a playwright, author, and creator of the animated series Alma’s Way. The film ensures we understand how Manzano has sustained a multifaceted career in the arts.

Through conversations with friends and colleagues, some of whom include Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and composer Stephen Schwartz, the film shares the story of a woman who is beloved in front and behind the camera. Even if at first, she was unsure how this film would unfold, Manzano shares personal highlights and reflects on her legacy. She is passionate about her community, education and continuing to be someone who aims to inspire and make a difference within her community and beyond.

Interview with Director Ernie Bustamante

I had the pleasure of speaking with Bustamante to discuss the inspiration for the film, meeting and working with Manzano, and his aspirations for the film.

Hye’s Thoughts on the Film

From my screening of Street Smart, it is clear that Manzano is an icon through and through. Those of us who grew up watching Sesame Street fondly remember ‘Maria’ surely. For those of us who came from a Latinamerican family, ‘Maria’ represented us in a positive and actually more accurate way than any other TV show had done

During our conversation, Bustamante shared this project began before the pandemic. During the pre-pandemic years, he encountered various producers and studios who ‘passed’ on the idea of making this film. Once the pandemic improved, he decided on making this independent film to reveal the person behind the character, to cement Manzano’s place as an American icon, and to remind us why representation is still so very important.

It is evident a lot of care went into the making of this film, not only on Bustamante’s part. The film flows as a way to show how Manzano’s past continues to influence her present. This approach helps us see Manzano as someone beyond a character, who many only know from their childhood. I appreciate this reminder, as it reinforces how much of a transformative force in American culture Manzano has been over the years.

Street Smart is a welcomed story about a remarkable person who continues to impact culture in a myriad of ways. Follow the film’s journey through its website streetsmartfilm.com.