Frida (DVD, 2003)

Producer & leading lady, Salma Hayek made sure this biography Mexico's most prominent woman artist reached the screen. Hayek playing the role of Frida Kahlo herself had to age 30 years onscreen.

"Frida" delineates Kahlo's affluent youth in Mexico City. The true story reveals Frida had a close relationship with her traditional mother (Patricia Reyes Spindola) & deeply philosophical father (Roger Rees). What is usually missing in stories about Kahlo is that she suffered from the crippling Polio after effects. Other stories focus upon Kahlo's severe injuries from a city bus accident.

The miracle of Kahlo's life is that much of her best art was created after the bus accident, during the period of her bed-ridden state. She created many dozens of paintings. After she was able to leave her bed, Frida had courage enough to present her masterpieces to legendary artist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina)!

Extremely impressed with Frida's art & with her, Rivera takes her on as his protege'. Little did Frida know that she'd become much more than a great Mexican artist when Diego & she met. Frida, like Diego, became a political revolutionary. The two became famous lovers.

However, philandering Rivera traveled the planet painting murals & bedding his pick of the day. Kahlo's work remained obscure. Thus, Frida struck out to make her fame on her own.