Chichester Cinema at New Park
Frida Naturaleza Viva
This original 1983 Mexican bio-pic of Frida is the more authentic and greater if more demanding film, although far less known than the later 2002 American version.
The story of Magdalena Carmen Frieda (she changed the spelling) Kahlo, better known as Frida Kahlo is brought to life on film by Ofelia Medina, who bears an uncanny resemblance, with perfection and touching authenticity, who is Mexico’s most famous living actress, and coincidentally grandmother of Kati Horna’s great-grandchild. Frida could control certain circumstances of her life, like her birth date, which she changed from July 6 1907 to 1910 to coincide with the Mexican Revolution but others she could not, such as her polio and terrible bus accident early in life that left her practically an invalid the rest of her life.
This film shows both of these aspects of Frida, her revolutionary zeal for life and her misfortune. Often told in a series of montages, Frida's life is reflected upon going back and forth in time, her childhood, her tumultuous relationship with spouse and famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, her affairs with both men and women, including the exiled Russian Trotsky and Mexican muralist David Siquieros, her participation in social movements, her drug use and drinking, and of course, her art, her greatest gift, which she left for all the world to enjoy. Frieda and Diego were also both friends of Horna and Leonora. There is not much dialogue, the pictures and scenes tell the story, sometimes very slowly, but this outstanding film conveys her tremendous spirit. (Subtitles)
Mexico · 1983 · Paul Leduc · 108min
