Why Director Carla Gutierrez Wanted Frida Kahlo to Tell Her Own Story in the Sundance Doc ‘Frida’
19.01.2024 - 15:07
/ variety.com
Addie Morfoot Contributor Carla Gutierrez is known in the documentary community for her work as a film editor. She was behind Oscar nominated docs “RBG” and “La Corona” as well as Emmy winner “Julia.” But in 2022, after two decades of editing, Gutierrez decided to direct “Frida,” a docu about iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, which has its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival this week. “A few months before we started working on ‘Frida,’ I would say, ‘I’m really content with editing.’ I had no thoughts of directing, but her story really pulled me in and I realized I have to direct this (film).
Of course I edited it as well because I couldn’t help myself.” Told through Kahlo’s own words drawn from her diary, revealing letters, essays and print interviews, “Frida” is an intimate glimpse into the artist’s deepest thoughts, artistic sensibilities and passionate romances. The film is also an immersive journey through Kahlo’s art and includes innovative animation of 48 of her original paintings and 13 illustrations from her diary. Gutierrez teamed with Imagine Entertainment and Time Studios to make the Amazon docu.
Variety spoke to Gutierrez about her film. Frida Kahlo has been the subject of other documentaires. What made you want to make this film about her now? I’ve been living with her art for many decades.
Like a lot of people, I have a very personal connection to her in different ways. For me, it was one painting of her (“Self Portrait on the Borderline Between Mexico and the United States”) that I saw as a pretty young immigrant that I felt really close to. I felt that it really reflected my own experience at the time.
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