Frida  A Self Portrait. The film directed by Joanie Schultz which highlights the rich testimony of the life of Frida Kahlo that was left in her letters and illustrated journal is a beautiful and honest interpretation of Kahlo not only as an artist but also of the purpose of her art.

The film carefully illustrates the life of a rebellious, curious and talented young woman raised by a mother who was obsessively religious and a atheistic father with a passion for photography who grew up to become one of the most well-known artists in history.

Schultz does a beautiful job at incorporating color and different artistic mediums, most often used by Kahlo, to tell her story. Forming some of the most beautiful scenery and illustrations to capture the audience’s eye and stitch together the story.

Even in moments where the film may seem to lose your attention, it pulls you back in with its beautiful storytelling through the mesmerizing artwork or with another piece of Kahlo’s puzzle of a story.

The film is told completely in Spanish as its Kahlo’s words used to narrate, voiced by Vanessa Severo.

The film makes sure to not silence the artist. Mentioning all of her thoughts, experiences and opinions, even the ones vulgar like her thoughts towards her crush when she was young or her painful tragedy of the bus crash that nearly left her dead.

If you are not a fan of art, if you’re not fluent in Spanish and don’t care for reading subtitles then the answer is simple, do not watch this film. However, if you are a fan of artistic storytelling, strong, passionate, and confident women, and biographies of powerful and eminent people who made a mark on the world then I encourage you. Press play.