January 20, 2009
frida
Finally, I understand why so many people love the works of Frida Kahlo. I have to admit they were a little lost on me previously. You know - the works where she has her unborn son son levitating above a bed. A little too much information, perhaps. And a little too surreal. But I think once you have more of an appreciation of her life story - and what a tragedy that was - her paintings can be seen in a completely different way.
This new appreciation is thanks to the film Frida, which I finally watched the other night on DVD. At first I regreted my choice. The acting seemed a little contrived and the script a little cheesy. But once it got going, I was enthralled. Of course, I am a bit of a sucker for stories about artists. But I loved the more surreal edges to the film - when the paintings become the action and vice versa. I was also fascinated to learn of her relationship with Trotsky. I studied the Russian revolution at high school for what seemed like an eternity. But what perhaps won me over was her determination to keep painting no matter what obstacles she faced during life. A true inspiration.