Frida (2002)

A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.

Director:

Julie Taymor

Writers:

Hayden Herrera (book), Clancy Sigal (screenplay),

Stars:

Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Antonio Banderas

Won 2 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Salma Hayek	...	Frida Kahlo
Alfred Molina	...	Diego Rivera
Antonio Banderas	...	David Alfaro Siqueiros
Valeria Golino	...	Lupe Marín
Diego Luna	...	Alejandro 'Alex'
Mía Maestro	...	Cristina Kahlo (as Mia Maestro)
Edward Norton	...	Nelson Rockefeller
Alejandro Usigli	...	Professor
Saffron Burrows	...	Gracie
Loló Navarro	...	Nanny (as Lolo Navarro)
Roger Rees	...	Guillermo Kahlo
Fermín Martínez	...	Painter on Bus (as Fermin Martinez)
Amelia Zapata	...	Maid
Ashley Judd	...	Tina Modotti
Roberto Medina	...	Dr. Farril

Storyline

"Frida" chronicles the life Frida Kahlo shared unflinchingly and openly with Diego Rivera, as the young couple took the art world by storm. From her complex and enduring relationship with her mentor and husband to her illicit and controversial affair with Leon Trotsky, to her provocative and romantic entanglements with women, Frida Kahlo lived a bold and uncompromising life as a political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary.

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Plot Keywords:

revolutionary | art | marriage | pain | artist | 

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Taglines:

Prepare to be seduced

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality/nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Canada Mexico

Language:

English French Russian

Release Date:

20 November 2002 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Frida Kahlo

Filming Locations:

Barrio del Alto, Puebla, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$453,103 (France) (18 April 2003)

Gross:

$14,164,253 (Europe) (23 May 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Handprint Entertainment, Lions Gate Films, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert De Niro was interested in the role of Diego Rivera when the film was in development.

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Goofs

One of Cristina Kahlo's sons wears disposable diapers.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Frida Kahlo: Careful, guys. This corpse is still breathing. Try to get me there in one piece.

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Connections

Referenced in Klimt (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Cabecita Loca"
Written by Lauro Aguilar Palma
Performed by Guty Cárdenas
Published by PHAM

User Reviews

Outstanding!

Usually, when you see a biopic about a famous artist and genius you either get to see a tragic, suffering creature or an idealized God. And often it's always the same: He/she was born, had a difficult childhood, created some masterpieces, had some affairs (usually with actors/actresses or/and musicians) and dies a sad and lonely death. But what a refreshing difference "Frida" was! Frida Kahlo's life was more suffering than joy, yet the movie does not pity her all the time but shows Frida's lust for life, love, art and her husband Diegor Riviera.

It tells the story of a really unusual life: When Frida is a student, young, beautiful, full of live and in love with a gorgeous boy (Diego Luna from "Y tu mama tambien" and "Dirty Dancing – Havanna Nights) she experiences a horrible accident when her bus crashes with a tram. Frida then becomes a cripple for the rest of her life, but through this she experiences herself in a new way and starts to paint, mostly self-portraits where she deals with her pain, her family, political situations and people she loves. Soon after the accident a miracle happens: Frida learns to walk again and the first thing she does is to visit the famous artist and painter Diego Rivera to ask his opinion about her paintings – the beginning of an unusual and often complicated love story that should last a lifetime.

We get to learn a woman who experiences so many tragic things in life that it should be enough to commit suicide, yet she never gives up, grows stronger and one thing that certainly helps her through hard times is her wit, her dignity and her love for life and art. She takes what she wants and needs (which also includes love affairs with men and women) but has also a lot to give. Plus her works, so honest, brutal but also beautiful in their truth, reveal one of the greatest talents of our time.

A whole lot of this movie works of course through its female protagonist, whose role is not that easy and a real challenge sometimes. The wonderful and graceful Salma Hayek, who is immensely gifted, does really great work here and awakes Frida and her world to life again. Hayek perfectly holds the balance between triumphs and losses, joy and sorrow, madness and daily routine, life and death. She is just a pleasure to watch, she doesn't play Frida, she IS Frida. Another important character is of course Diego Rivera, the greatest love of Frida's life. Alfred Molina, a great British actor, is perfectly casted for this role and besides, has a remarkable resemblance to the real Diego. Outstanding performances also by the supporting cast: Valeria Golino, Ashley Judd (with a great imitation of the Mexican accent), Geoffrey Rush and Edward Norton.

Frida – a feast for the senses full of life and exploding emotions and a tribute to a truly unique and remarkable woman, who was the greatest female artist of the last century!