Fourth Blog

          The movie, Frida, is one that I find to be very interesting for many reasons.  First, I had been assigned to do an art project on Frida Kahlo in 8^th grade and it was cool for me to get even more background on her than I had previously.  In addition, I enjoyed seeing the paintings that I once learned about featured in this movie, such as “The Two Fridas,” “A Few Small Nips,” and more.  Frida’s character is very strong and powerful, especially for the time period that she lived in.  She was strong after her bus incident and also during the times her marriage with Diego wasn’t so great.  For the many times Diego had affairs with other women, Frida seemed to not let that get her down.  She was able to see through his lies.  For example, after Diego had sex with one of his naked models, he told Frida he was at the ministry, but Frida did not fall for this lie and when she confronted him about it he finally told her the truth.  I was happy that after Frida had caught Diego in yet another affair, but this time with her own sister, she had left him.  It is just a shame that it took her that long to do so.

            Frida never let her disabilities stop her from doing what she loved, which was drawing and painting.  She continued to draw and paint from bed shortly after the incident had occurred, her dad even bought her a wooden easel, giving her the ability to follow through with her love for art and she no longer had to resort to drawing on her body cast.  It was the start of her incredible career.  I thought it was very courageous of Frida to try walking after she had painted a portrait of her sister.  She got out of her wheel chair and walked over to her family who were hesitant about it, but she showed them she was capable.  I loved the way the movie ended.  This showed that the beginning and the end connected.  It was amazing that she showed up to her art exhibition because she had people carry her there, while she was still in bed like her doctor ordered her to do.  Frida’s disabilities relate to the feminist theory discussed in “Integrating Disability, Transforming Feminist Theory” by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson.  In this reading, Garland-Thomson includes, “Cultural stereotypes imagine disabled women as asexual, unfit to reproduce, overly dependent, unattractive- as generally removed from the sphere of true womanhood and feminine beauty.  Women with disabilities often must struggle to have their sexuality and rights to bear children recognized. (Finger 1990)” This relates to Frida Kahlo, but at the same time does not.  In my opinion, being unable to reproduce depends on the specific disability a woman may have.  In Frida’s situation she was not able to reproduce.  She had a miscarriage.  On the other hand, Frida was not dependent.  She did not rely on other people to take care of her unless she really needed something.  She fought through her struggles and her artwork is still greatly appreciated today.