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Viva Frida!:
Art a GoGo reviews the new DVD Frida J. Lo pursued the role, Madonna longed to be the star, but Salma Hayek was chosen to depict the Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) in this 2002 film. And who can blame these actresses for competing for the part- the opportunity to portray this remarkable artist would be a career-defining role for any actress. Salma Hayek's spirited performance conveys a genuine understanding of this complex woman. As an artist, Frida's work is an intensely personal statement of her life. As a woman, Frida's life is dominated by her tempestuous relationship with her mentor and womanizing husband, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). The events of Frida's life have become legendary since her death in 1954. In 1925, she was seriously injured in a bus accident which her spinal column, pelvis and collarbone were shattered. Frida painted her first self-portrait during her long convalescence. These self-portraits became an essential means of expression for the chronic physical and emotional pain she suffered. Diego Rivera described her paintings as "agonized poetry on canvas." Director Julie Taymor pulls out all the stops to create gorgeous and creative visual effects. From the horrific bus accident scene to the innovative technique of morphing between reality and surrealism in her paintings, this film is a virtual feast for the eyes. Nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Ms. Hayek, the film won two Oscars for makeup (no doubt for Salma Hayek's courage to don the furry unibrow) and for a vibrant musical score. The outstanding supportive cast includes Roger Rees, Valeria Golino, Ashley Judd, Geoffrey Rush, Antonio Banderas, and Edward Norton. Frida is now available on DVD. Visit Amazon to purchase your copy today! Visit Amazon for more
information about Frida Kahlo: Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera Frida Kahlo: The Paintings by Hayden Herrera
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