September 19, 2019 · 3 min read

Iconic careers of Morrison, Ronstadt featured at the Ross

Rena Schild | Shutterstock

Novelist Toni Morrison stands next to Barack Obama during a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House on May 29, 2012. A documentary on Morrison's career plays Sept. 20-26 at the Ross.

Films exploring the iconic careers of novelist Toni Morrison and singer Linda Ronstadt open Sept 20 at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.

Both films are scheduled to play through Sept. 26.

“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” presents an artful and intimate focus on the legendary storyteller and Nobel prize-winner. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio, to 1970s book tours with Muhammad Ali, Morrison led an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition through her literature.

Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative. Woven together with a rich collection of art, history, literature and personality, the film includes discussions about Morrison’s critically-acclaimed work, including “The Bluest Eye,” “Sula” and “Song of Solomon.” The story also examines her role as editor of iconic African-American literature and her teaching at Princeton University.

“Tony Morrison: The Pieces I Am” is rated PG-13 for some disturbing images and thematic material.

Trailer: "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am"

Also showing is “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” a musical biography about one of the most successful and versatile recording artists of all time. A music icon for more than 50 years, Ronstadt’s vocal range and creativity have created songs across rock, pop, country, folk ballads, American standards, classic Mexican music and soul.

In the film, Ronstadt guides viewers through her career — from the early years singing Mexican songs with her family and her reign as the “rock queen” in the 1970s and early 1980s to her high-profile romance with California governor Jerry Brown and the loss of her voice to Parkinson’s disease. The footage includes performances with and appearances by Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown.

“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” is rated PG-13 for strong language and drug-related material.