Unless you are familiar with the ins and outs of New York City politics, and the advancement of Latinos through the public and private sectors in everything from engineering to education to the arts, Luis A. Miranda Jr. might just be known to you as the father of Broadway superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton).
Luis Miranda, however, is so much more.
In the upcoming HBO documentary Siempre, Luis, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, first-time filmmaker John James examines the life and career of Miranda by following him around the world for a year as he manages different projects he is working on and rubbing elbows with powerful people.
Through new and archived footage, James takes a journey with Miranda–from his move to New York City from Puerto Rico in the 1970s to his philanthropic work with organizations raising money for the people of his home island after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“For me, Puerto Rico is this perfect place that all of a sudden doesn’t exist anymore,” Miranda says in the trailer holding back tears. “I immediately saw it as a responsibility to rebuild the island.”
Siempre, Luis also focuses on Miranda’s recent health issues and how he has been able to continue working after having a heart attack in 2017. This includes helping his son Lin-Manuel, who calls him “relentless,” bring his hit musical to the people of Puerto Rico.
Siempre, Luis premieres on HBO October 6 at 9 p.m. EST.
