‘Hola Frida’ is filled with imagination and color

Category: Movies

In this animated film, the life of iconic artist Frida Kahlo unfolds in a colorful and imaginative way. Hola Frida focuses on the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs, the good and bad, and the sadness and resolve of this girl who endured a lot in her life and overcame so much. 

The movie introduces Frida to an audience that might never have known about her life and career. Her Mexican culture blended beautifully with her modern art and her great imagination and use of color.

The art is secondary to the life story of Frida. It begins with her as a young child, filled with hope and kindness. She is a free spirit until a bout of polio sidelines her and commits her to her bed – for awhile. With one leg overtaken by the disease, little Frida has to learn to walk with a brace on that leg, and ultimately regain her strength. It is her inner strength that helps her move forward and gain the physical strength to continue with her life.

While Frida grows, she encounters a school bully with his own personal problems. She also endures some bullying by others at the school, but soon her resilience and true inner kindness prevails.

Frida is a joy to be with. She is filled with hope and love. She is also on her way to being a doctor so she could help others, but that was not to be. Inspired by colors and art, Frida forgoes her dreams of being a doctor to become an artist. And when she suffers another medical emergency, her inner toughness once again brings her back from the brink of death.

Having been near death twice, Frida forges on, knowing each time that it was not her time to die and that she was going to accomplish her dreams of being an artist. 

The movie is unique in that it delves deep into the imagination of this young girl. Her inner soul – or spirit – helped guide her through the tough times. In that sense, it is very inspirational.

As she grows, young Frida draws in her notebook, which is the impetus for her burgeoning art career. Director Karine Vézina said, “Frida Kahlo’s personal journals are a true source of inspiration for Little Frida’s notebook, and they also serve as a temporal marker, with the flipbook-style animation speeding up or rewinding time!”

When asked how the filmmakers approached the animation to blend Frida’s work with her imagination, Vézina said, “That was one of the challenges of the film. We wanted to showcase Frida’s works, but some elements could be difficult to present to children.” Co-director André Kadi added, “We chose to suggest them within her imaginary world, as early glimpses of what would later become her pictorial universe, since she herself said she wasn’t a surrealist and simply painted her reality.”

This aspect of presenting elements of Frida’s life as her imagination is interesting, and definitely colorful. Frida’s imaginary world is bright and beautiful, and is part of what helps her get through her life.

The movie is filled with some sad elements but ultimately brings the bravery and success of Frida to light. It is a colorful and, as stated earlier, a very imaginative film that is meant to introduce Frida to a young audience. 

Young viewers will undoubtedly embrace Frida and her courage as she grows and endures so much. But in the end it is a movie about triumphing over adversity. She became one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, and now her story is told in an interesting way for both young and old.

Hola Frida is not rated by the MPAA, however it is suitable for most ages. The very young might be a little too sad and emotional during Frida’s struggles, however given the positive message and ending, it is definitely geared for all ages.

The movie opens in theaters August 8, 2025.  The ultimate message is “Viva la vida!” (Long live life/Enjoy life) 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images supplied courtesy Level 33/Hola Frida