In the new documentary “Frida,” filmmaker Carla Gutiérrez utilizes Frida Kahlo’s personal writings to offer insight into the artist’s life and work. Blending first-person narration with archival footage and interpretive animation of Kahlo’s art, the film provides a fresh perspective on her story, now available for streaming on Prime Video.
Gutiérrez, who was born in Peru and moved to the United States as a teenager, recalls her initial connection with Kahlo’s paintings during college. She found resonance in Kahlo’s depiction of the border between the United States and Mexico, seeing parallels with her own immigrant experience.
Despite being content as an editor in filmmaking, Gutiérrez felt compelled to direct “Frida” after revisiting Kahlo’s work. Inspired by Kahlo’s personal writings and the lack of a film capturing her story from her own perspective, Gutiérrez embarked on the project to provide a more intimate and raw understanding of Kahlo’s art.
Drawing from Kahlo’s personal letters, the filmmaking team pieced together a comprehensive portrayal of the artist’s life, sourcing materials from various museums including the Frida Kahlo Museum in Mexico City and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C.
A significant creative decision in the documentary was the use of animation to bring Kahlo’s art to life, a choice that has elicited mixed reactions from audiences since the film’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. However, Gutiérrez intended this animation to immerse viewers into Kahlo’s internal world, offering a deeper understanding of her emotions and experiences.
Despite the divisive response, the animation serves as a respectful homage to Kahlo’s paintings, aiming to convey the artist’s feelings and heart through a lyrical visual medium.
