cover image Frida M/TV

Frida M/TV

Julie Taymor. Newmarket Press, $35 (160pp) ISBN 978-1-55704-540-9

Perhaps because it features the vibrant artwork of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Julie Taymor's Frida: Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film is one of the most aesthetically pleasing film companion books in years. The book's publication coincides with the long awaited release of the film, which stars Salma Hayek as the artist. In her introduction, Taymor, who directed Frida, explains how she condensed 30 years of Kahlo's life into a two-hour film, showed the artist at work, shot the film on location in Mexico and other eye-opening bits about the film. Salma Hayek then offers a brief introduction, which is followed by the illustrated screenplay, with sidebars interspersed that shed light on the characters-notably Kahlo's husband, Diego Rivera-and specific scenes. The book admirably juxtaposes film stills and reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, making this at once a tribute to the film and the life of the great artist.