Ron Howard and his producing buddy Brian Grazer bring us an intimately raw and magical journey through the life, mind, and heart of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Frida is told through her own words for the first time, drawn from her famed illustrated diary, revealing letters, essays, and candid print interviews — and brought vividly to life by lyrical animation inspired by her unforgettable artwork. The feature film directorial debut of acclaimed editor Carla Gutiérrez, Frida posits a striking context of why the artist—and her art—remains as powerful as ever.

Howard directed the documentary about legendary opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, and he’s continued the genre as a producer.

Covering over 40 years of her life, the filmmakers received unrestricted access to research materials, much never shown to the public before. What is extraordinary about Kahlo’s life and art is how her images would galvanize multiple generations of admirers worldwide, doing more than solidifying her status as a modern artist of timeless import.

In an intensive two-year journey, Gutiérrez and her formidable team of artisans, primarily women and proudly Latine, gathered together to craft a singular cinematic experience that could be no ordinary art history lesson. A living portrait emboldened by the magical realism befitting Kahlo’s remarkable life emerges. Yet, her voice ultimately stands supreme, a complex and powerful sound of many Fridas: fearless, seductive, defiant, vulnerable, raucous, and wonderfully alive.