FRIDA

(director: Carla Gutierrez; Animation: Sofia Cázares, Renata Galindo; editor: Carla Gutierrez; music: Stumpfhauser, Victor Hernandez; cast:  Frida Kahlo, Fernanda Echevarría del Rivero; Runtime: 98; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Justin Wilkes, Sara Bernstein, Loren Hammonds, Alexandra Johnes, Katia Maguire; MGM on Amazon Prime; USA-in Spanish with English subtitles 2024)

“There are many films on Frida Kahlo. I thought this one was the best.“

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

An endearing documentary on the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, directed in her feature film debut by editor-turned-director Carla Gutierrez. In voiceovers, we get to know Frida’s story through her own words in letters, an illustrated diary and interviews. Also included are valuable archival footage and an innovative arty animations of her paintings.

Frida was married to an unfaithful husband (he slept with one of her sisters), who she would divorce, the great muralist painter Diego Riviera. She was known for her self-portrait paintings (the most famous was “The Two Fridas”), for having a foul-mouth, hating the wealthy, having an extra-marital affair with Trotsky (there were others) and being an ardent communist.

The artist had commercial success but suffered her whole life from a back injury caused when she was a teenager passenger on a bus that collided with a trolley, and a handrail hit her. She also had a miscarriage, and died at the young age of 47.

The film offers insights into Frida’s complex personal life  and her transformative effect on art.

There are many films on Frida Kahlo. I thought this one was the best.

REVIEWED ON 3/15/2024  GRADE: A