Frida Kahlo, an iconic artist of the 20th century, continues to captivate audiences with her raw and magical creations. Through her own words, drawn from her illustrated diary, letters, essays, and interviews, her journey comes to life in the feature film FRIDA, directed by Carla Gutiérrez. With lyrical animation inspired by Kahlo’s unforgettable artwork, FRIDAoffers a unique glimpse into the mind, heart, and life of this extraordinary artist.
Covering more than 40 years of Kahlo’s life, FRIDA delves into her personal experiences and artistic endeavors. The filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to research materials, unveiling a wealth of information previously unseen by the public. Kahlo’s images have resonated with admirers across generations, solidifying her status as a modern artist of timeless importance.
Director Carla Gutiérrez and her team of artisans, predominantly women and proudly Latine, embarked on a two-year intensive journey to create a cinematic experience like no other. FRIDA is a living portrait, infused with the magical realism that befits Kahlo’s remarkable life. Through her voice, a multitude of Fridas emerges – fearless, seductive, defiant, vulnerable, raucous, and wonderfully alive.
As a vivid cinematic portrait, FRIDA reimagines the documentary format, placing Kahlo’s storied life in the context of the 21st century’s evolving cultural and gender landscapes. Revered as one of Mexico’s greatest artists, Kahlo’s self-portraits offered a window into her mental and emotional state, showcasing her personal pain and exquisite passion in blazing colors. Her pride in her Latinidad, indigenous roots, and womanhood created a legacy based on complex life experiences, resulting in a collection of nearly 200 paintings, sketches, and drawings.
Today, Frida Kahlo’s name is synonymous with gender and cultural pride, as well as female empowerment. However, during her lifetime, she faced extraordinary barriers and resistance to her forward-thinking ideologies and commentaries. Her art often left leading political and art world figures speechless and uncomfortable. Kahlo’s legacy, like a ribbon wrapped around a bomb, continues to resonate with explosive impact, influencing future generations long after her passing in 1954 at the age of 47.
In the 1970s, art historians recognized and championed Kahlo’s work, energizing feminist, Chicano, and Queer movements. Her unfiltered words and visuals provided strength and inspiration. Today, her art is ubiquitous on the streets of Mexico City, Los Angeles, New York, and around the world. It has evolved into an indelible brand identity, sometimes overshadowing the woman responsible for such powerful imagery.
With FRIDA, director Carla Gutiérrez has crafted a profoundly immersive tapestry of words, animation, and extensively researched archival material. The film offers a unique documentary experience, mirroring Kahlo’s clear-eyed vision of her existence in her art.
As the world eagerly awaits the premiere of FRIDA at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Gutiérrez and her team, including producer Katia Maguire, animators Sofía Inés Cázares and Renata Galindo, and composer Víctor Hernández Stumpfhauser, hope that the film will serve as a catalyst for further research. They aim to celebrate Kahlo’s artistic legacy while reconnecting audiences with the human being behind the vibrant artwork.
FRIDA will premiere on Amazon Prime on March 14th, 2024, offering audiences a chance to immerse themselves in the intimate and extraordinary world of Frida Kahlo.
