Filmmaker Carla Gutiérrez on the making of her directorial debut, FRIDA

Filmmaker Carla Gutiérrez speaks to Reclaim The Frame on FRIDA.
The directorial debut of acclaimed editor Carla Gutiérrez (RBG, La Corona), FRIDA posits a striking context as to why the artist - and her art - remains as powerful as ever. Covering more than 40 years of Kahlo’s life, the filmmakers received unrestricted access to research materials, much never shown to the general public before. What is extraordinary about Kahlo’s life and art is how her images would galvanize multiple generations of admirers worldwide, doing more than solidifying her status as a modern artist of timeless import.
An intensive journey spanning two years, Gutiérrez and her formidable team of artisans - most of whom are women and proudly Latine - gathered together to craft a singular cinematic experience that could be no ordinary art history lesson. A living portrait emboldened by the magical realism befitting Kahlo’s remarkable life emerges. Yet, her voice ultimately stands supreme, a complex and powerful sound of a multitude of Fridas: fearless, seductive, defiant, vulnerable, raucous, and wonderfully alive.
The screening on Wednesday the 6th of March was followed by a post-screening virtual discussion with director Carla Gutiérrez and hosted by Rōgan Graham from Reclaim The Frame.