I do know that you just linked with members of the Kahlo household whereas making Frida. Inform me about how their participation formed the documentary and your inventive course of.

We had the pleasure and the distinction of connecting with two members of the family: Cristina and Billy Kahlo, who had been the daughter and son of Guillermo Kahlo, who was the son of Frida’s sister. The fascinating factor is that Frida’s father was a photographer, and his grandson [Guillermo] can also be a photographer. There’s one thing concerning the household genes that creates artists.

Cristina Kahlo can also be an incredible photographer, however she’s been targeted on taking the time to actually research what occurred to Frida in a bodily approach, like how her physique made her who she was. As a member of the family, she was capable of go to the hospital the place Frida had plenty of surgical procedures. We acquired entry to plenty of earlier bodily data of Frida’s because of Cristina. And Cristina had assist. Many museums all over the world have curated exhibitions that truly cope with Frida’s physique. Cristina grew to become a advisor within the movie and it was actually particular to sit down together with her and Frida’s household.

In my view, a part of what makes Frida particular is its exploration of Kahlo’s sexuality. Why was it vital to you to seize that a part of who she was?

Frida by no means actually talks about her queerness, she simply lives it. She had a have to be beloved, not solely by Diego, however different individuals. [Frida] craved that connection, and she or he wanted that pleasure and want. We noticed it in her letters, and we see it within the artwork. She was very, very public about it, however not in a approach that was, like, attempting to be public about it for shock worth. I like that about Frida, and we actually needed to defend that. And I believe that that’s one of many explanation why she’s develop into such an vital feminist image and queer image for all of us. She simply exuded love. We didn’t need to simply listing her lovers—we needed to offer life to this want and have the viewers really feel it.

What would you like viewers to remove from Frida?