Frida

Julie Taymor’s Frida (2002), the critically acclaimed biographical drama about the life of renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), captures the complexities and fluidity of Kahlo’s sexual orientation, shedding light on her passionate relationships with both men and women.

By portraying Kahlo’s bisexuality with authenticity and nuance, Taymor contributes to the visibility and understanding of bisexual individuals, offering a valuable depiction of this often misunderstood aspect of human sexuality.

The film showcases Kahlo’s emotional and sexual connections with both Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina), her husband, and various female lovers, including her affair with the groundbreaking Mexican-American artist, Tina Modott (Ashley Judd). The tango between Frida and Tina remains one of the most memorable scenes of the film.

Kahlo’s bisexuality was never reduced to a mere plot device or stereotype. The film portrays bisexuality as an integral part of Kahlo’s identity, neither demonizing nor fetishizing it.

Through Frida, Julie Taymor sheds light on the historical erasure of bisexual voices and experiences. Kahlo’s bisexuality is situated within the broader context of her time, challenging the notion that bisexuality is a contemporary phenomenon. By acknowledging the existence of bisexual individuals throughout history, the film works to dismantle the erasure and marginalization that bisexual people often face, both within and outside the LGBT community. It serves as a reminder that bisexuality is not a recent trend but an enduring and valid aspect of human diversity.

To read more about Frida, go to Bi.org’s Unicorn Scale