Frida

# Y ella es flama que se eleva

# Y es un pajaro a volar

# En la noche que se incendia

# El infierno es este cielo... #

This programme contains some strong language

Arriba! Arriba, arriba, arriba!

Vamos!

Careful, guys.

This corpse is still breathing.

Uh!

Try to get me there in one piece.

-Hello, Professor.

-Hello, Frida.

-Diego Rivera is back in the auditorium!

-Who cares?

-With a naked woman.

Shh...

Why is this whore still here? Huh?

Tell me.

Tell me, mi amor.

-Are you planning to have her after lunch, or have you fucked her already?

-Lupe, please don't start.

You think I don't know what's going on, you must think I'm an idiot!

-I can't work like this.

-Yes, you can. Your food and your slut.

That's all you need to paint your pinche murals!

Hey! Get out!

And don't come home and give me one of your speeches

about the artist and the people and your fucking revolution!

You only care about yourself, you piece of shit!

Ah, so much for lunch. Although...

I could eat you, perhaps.

I've eaten female flesh before, yes.

Wrapped up in...tortillas.

It tastes like...the tenderest young...pig.

Watch out, Diego! Lupe's coming back!

Fucking punks!

Come on, you little anarchists!

-Come and light one of your firecrackers if you dare!

-Let's go.

Frida...

Just keeping you honest, panzon.

Panzon...

Do I look fat to you?

Shh!

THEY GASP AND MOAN

Shh!

-Here you are.

-Gracias.

Frida, we found the most beautiful fabric for my wedding dress today.

-Fantastic.

-It cost a fortune.

-Mama?

-Yes?

-Are these ripe?

They should be, let me see.

Yes, they're fine. Just need a day or two.

Maybe you'll get married too, one day.

One can only hope.

Lunch is almost ready.

Go get the artist.

I love this one...

It's beautiful.

I like it, too.

They're busy with the wedding.

-Cristina is so excited about her dress.

-Good.

Everyone should be excited when they get married.

I suppose - if that's what you want.

And, er...what do you want?

I don't know.

I just don't think that marriage is for everyone.

Well, you need a good reason to do it, just like with anything else.

What do you think matters most for a good marriage?

A short memory.

Why did you get married, Papa?

I can't remember.

So I could have you.

-Concentrate, everybody.

-Wait, where is Frida?

Adriana, go tell your sister to hurry up.

I always wanted a son.

And now Matilde, everyone, eyes to the camera and...

Come on, we'll miss our bus.

Oh!

Frida!

How much is the calaca?

Frida, come on!

-The bus!

-We'll take the next one.

No, no, no! Come, come, come!

Watch out... Hey! Hey!

Anyway, I just don't think he's completely apolitical, that's all.

That's because you read it after you read Marx.

You always read things in the wrong order.

That's ridiculous. Why should it matter what order you read it in?

If you have already read Marx, of course Hegel is going to seem political,

but the truth is the idea of history as a dialectic just predicts Marx...

Is that gold? Real gold?

For the ceiling of the opera house.

HORN BLARES

Move it!

HORN BLARES

TYRES SQUEAL

Your brake!

The spinal column was broken, as were the collarbone and two ribs.

The pelvis is broken in three places.

The metal rod entered the right side of the body and came out the vagina.

The right leg has 11 fractures, and the foot was crushed.

Will she ever walk again?

Let's make sure she lives first.

-Is Alex alive?

-Frida!

-Is he all right?

He was hurt, but not terribly.

He was here yesterday when you were not awake.

And Mama?

-It was too much for them. They are at home.

-How long have I been here?

Three weeks.

We're almost there.

Gently, now.

-There is nothing left to spend.

-I will sell some of my equipment.

For another operation that probably won't work?

No. Listen.

Maybe this time it will work.

And then how will you make money?

I'll...paint portraits again.

Admit it, Guillermo.

She'll never walk again.

Go on in, Alex. She's waiting for you.

Hello, ugly.

They're beautiful.

-How do you feel?

-Like I've been hit by a bus.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Come on, silly. Come, come.

Come sit with me. Look.

It's my only good angle at the moment.

No, it's not.

I like you this way.

You're easier to keep up with.

Spengler, because you love him.

Schopenhauer because it's good for you.

Oh, Alex.

You know I adore you. I've missed you so much.

I told the doctor the handrail had taken my virginity.

And I'm sure he believed you.

You know,

when I get out of this cast,

I'm going to show you a couple of things I still remember from before.

OK.

What?

My aunt and my uncle are leaving for Europe, and...

..they've invited me to come along.

But that's wonderful.

When would you leave?

Soon.

Next week.

How long will you be gone?

They're going for two months,

and afterwards I might stay on at the Sorbonne.

I will be staying on.

Did I tell you that I'm going to walk again?

Yes.

Do you believe it?

Of course I do.

You'd better.

-Because you're going to miss it.

-Frida...

I want you to leave before I finish this butterfly.

How are you feeling?

How am I feeling?

I can't even remember what it felt like before the pain.

-Isn't that horrible?

-Dr Farril is coming on Monday.

He is bringing a back specialist, Dr Cervantes.

I feel like some rich girl with a new suitor every week.

But all my suitors have turned into doctors.

And I'm not a rich girl, Papa.

How come you never ask me about my plans any more? Hm?

You used to always say, "Tell me your plans, Frida."

What are your plans, Frida?

Right now I'm a burden.

But I hope to be a self-sufficient cripple one day.

After that, I don't know.

You are not a burden...

my love.

See, here...

We have something for you.

Matilde, come.

-We noticed that there was no more room left on your cast...

-Oh!

-Now you look like a gringa movie star.

-Let me see.

-It's too much money...

-Mama, Papa.

I have a surprise.

-Careful, now!

-Don't worry. Don't worry. It's all right.

Aaaaaah!

I need the ochre.

-Is it ready?

-Almost.

No, now. I need it now.

Senor Rivera?

Diego!

Who are you? What do you want?

I have something important to discuss with you.

-I'm working.

-I'll wait.

I don't have time to chat with schoolgirls.

I'm not a schoolgirl, panzon.

OK. Come on up here.

No. You come down.

-What?

-Look, I didn't come here for fun or to flirt.

I've done some paintings which I want you to look over professionally,

and I need an absolutely straightforward opinion of my work.

-You were that girl in the auditorium.

-Yes, I was,

but that has nothing to do with now.

-I just want your serious opinion.

-What do you care about my opinion?

If you're a real painter, you'll paint because you can't live without it. You'll paint until you die, OK?

I have to work to earn a living, so I don't have time to fool around just for vanity.

If I'm not good enough, I have to do something else to help my parents.

Leave the best one here.

Go home and paint another one. If this one's any good, I'll come and look at that one on my day off.

Orozco is a true artist. He's tremendous.

And Siqueiros could be great if he'd pull his head out of his own ass and look around.

Comrade Rivera.

What a nice surprise.

What if I told you that

easel painting like yours is finished,

that it's headed for the trash like other elitist, bourgeois pastimes?

I'd say cut the propaganda.

This is very good work.

-You have real talent.

-Oh, come on.

I'm not looking for your compliments.

I want a serious critique.

But I'm being sincere.

These are very original paintings,

none of the usual tricks.

But that's not specific.

You have to trust a true compliment as much as a critique.

Yeah, well, some people have told me not to trust what you say.

They say if a girl asks your opinion, and she's not a complete fright, you'll gush all over her.

I need you to tell me one thing, honestly.

Do you actually believe that I should continue to paint?

Yes.

Yes.

You'll like Tina. She's a brilliant photographer, one of the few with real taste.

Do you know Alvarez Bravo?

I know his work. It's good.

I'll introduce you to him. He'll want to photograph you.

-Without clothes, of course.

-Of course!

That's the thing about these radicals.

They're a little dangerous, but they definitely throw the best parties.

-Ah, at last! Il monstro!

-Tina!

This is Frida Kahlo. She's a wonderful painter.

She wants to be a wonderful painter.

Don't be shy. Nobody really thinks their own stuff is good except Diego. He's the only one who's sure.

Go find Siqueiros. He's been bad-mouthing you again.

You come with me.

Great party.

Everybody, I have someone for you to meet. This is Frida Kahlo.

She came with Diego. Another pretty girl...

She's quite a talent, no?

Julio Mella, the Cuban.

Tina took the last photo of him.

She was with him on the street when they gunned him down.

LAUGHTER

Incredible.

They're like clay in his hands.

-It must be that body.

-No.

It's the way he looks at you...

and finds beauty in all your imperfections.

It's irresistible.

You'd never think it to look at him, but he's had half the women here.

I'm sorry. Did you come with him?

Oh, no...we're just friends.

I'm Frida Kahlo. I'm a painter.

A painter. No wonder.

Mm-hmm. I'm Lupe Marin. I'm his wife.

Ah...

I was his wife.

Good luck to you.

Bad-mouth him all you want, Diego.

But while we have been talking about socialism over drinks at parties for ten years, Stalin is making it work.

-He's achieving it.

-Achieving what?

His only big idea so far is to throw out all the real thinkers in the land.

-He just threw YOU out.

-No. Not just me.

No, not just you. Mr Trotsky...

-a man who plays the martyr when, in truth, he was rejected by his own country. Good riddance.

-No.

He had to run for his life. Stalin would have had him shot.

That's his version of socialism...

kill anyone who disagrees with you.

Well, some people have to get shot in a revolution, you know.

Well, I prefer evolution.

Educate the poor.

Mobilize the workers.

Rise like a slow tide. But you...

you'll have your revolution and kill half the poor to save them.

Diego, this from a Communist who's getting rich painting for the government and wealthy patrons?

I can't help it if the rich have good taste.

The rich don't have good taste.

They pay someone to have good taste for them.

And they don't hire you because you are good.

They hire you because you assuage their sense of guilt.

They use you, Diego,

and you are too vain to see it.

No! Diego, no!

SCREAMS

Basta.

Whoever takes the biggest swig can dance with me.

Bravo.

I'd rather have an intelligent enemy than a stupid friend...

Shall we?

# La noche ira

# Sin prisa de nostalgia

# Habra de ser un tango

# Nuestra herida

# Un acordeon sangriento

# Nuestras almas

# Seremos esta noche

# Todo el dia

# Vuelve a mi

# Amame sin luz

# En nuestra alcoba azul

# Donde no hubo sol para nosotros

# Ciegame

# Mata mi corazon

# En nuestra alcoba azul

# Mi amor! #

INAUDIBLE

THEY SHOUT SLOGANS

-...and more women.

-Next time I'll make sure that happens, OK?

Miss Kahlo.

You may have to hold me up.

That Torres is a good man, but he's got to be much more careful.

What is this, your studio?

One of the benefits of being party leader - you can arrange for the drinking to be done close to home.

And now that you are officially a comrade, I believe I can let you see it, if you like.

Hey, listen.

-If you think I'm going to sleep with you just because you've taken me under your wing, you're wrong.

-Me?

I was painting murals and womanizing in peace when you came along.

Anyway, sex is like pissing.

People take it much too seriously.

In Russia... Oh, my God, in Russia, everyone was fucking like rabbits.

Well, this isn't Russia.

No, thank Christ.

I have a proposal.

We will not sleep together.

-We will solemnly swear, right here, right now, that we will be friends only.

-Fine.

Comrades, colleagues, and friends for ever.

Did you arrange for that?

Cost me a fortune.

I have a scar.

Let me see it.

You're perfect.

Perfect.

Ah...

Mmm! I always wanted a man with melones bigger than mine.

-You know what I've always loved?

-What?

-A girl with cojones.

Ah!

-Ooh! Aah!

-Oh!

-These are good, Frida. I love them.

-Hmm.

And you were probably painting better when you were 12.

That's nonsense.

-I could never paint like this.

-Oh!

I couldn't. I'm serious.

I paint what I see...

the world outside.

But you...

you paint from here.

It's wonderful.

I can see why you're so successful with women.

We'll have to get married, you know.

What?

The thing is...

I think it's quite possible that we were born for each other,

so we should marry.

But you don't believe in marriage.

Of course I do. I've had two wives already.

Exactly.

You can't be true to only one woman.

True, yes.

Faithful...

no.

-Unfortunately, I'm physiologically incapable of fidelity.

-Oh, really?

Yes. A doctor acquaintance of mine confirmed this.

What a convenient diagnosis.

Is fidelity that important to you?

Loyalty is important to me.

-Can you be loyal?

-To you?

-Always.

-Good.

Because I love you, panzon.

Fridocha.

I accept!

What a beautiful bride you are.

-Don't touch me!

-Oh, you think I'm going to hit you?

But he's divorced twice. He's had God knows how many children.

And he's an atheist, Guillermo.

Perhaps you have forgotten, and forgive me for reminding you,

but I am a German Jew, and you married me, remember?

-Yes.

-Hmm.

He's also a Communist.

A Communist who is generous enough to pay off our mortgage.

It's like the marriage of an elephant and a dove.

Oh, your toe!

It's been a long time.

-I don't want to talk.

-I told you I wanted you to come.

-I don't want to talk!

-Please! Cris... Cristina!

-Get back!

-I give them...six months.

-Six?

I give them two.

-I don't believe in marriage.

-LAUGHTER

No, I really don't! Let me be clear about that.

I think at worst it's a hostile political act,

a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way,

wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense.

At best, it's a happy delusion.

These two people who truly love each other

and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other.

LAUGHTER

But... But... when two people know that,

and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway,

then I don't think it's conservative or delusional.

I think it's radical and courageous and very romantic.

-To Diego and Frida.

-Diego and Frida.

# Borrachita me voy

# Para olvidarte

# Te quiero mucho

# Tambien me quieres

# Borrachita me voy

# Hasta la capital

# Para servirle al patron

# Que me mando llamar

# Anteayer... #

Aaaah!

You're crazy! You know that? You're crazy.

You son of a bitch!

You like these legs?

-Oh, Lupe. Lupe, no.

-You like those legs, Diego?

You give up these beauties, for these matchsticks? This peg leg?

Mira! Mira!

DIEGO LAUGHS

Viva la revolucion.

Ay!

My mother was wrong about you, you know?

She said you were an elephant. But you're not.

Elephants are strong and courageous, and they defend their mates.

You are a toad. You even look like a toad.

And you look like a dog. Dove! Dove!

Did I say dog? No, I meant dove.

You are my little paloma.

What will people say about such a pair?

They'll have never seen a better match.

Thank you.

For what?

For making a fat, old, crazy Communist a happy man.

Ohh...

NOISES FROM KITCHEN

Sit. Eat.

Mi amor!

-Mmm!

-Good, eh?

Mmm!

What a wonderful morning!

Lupe's special recipe.

Well, you've mastered it.

I can't cook to save my life.

She brought it down for us while you were sleeping.

-Brought it down?

-Mm. She's in the apartment upstairs with my kids.

I let her have it till she finds a place in town.

I'm not just passing through, you know! I'm here to stay!

Is that what you came to tell me?

I'm here to stay.

So stay out of my damn kitchen.

You like my mole?

-So-so.

-Well, he lives for it.

So if you're here to stay, you better learn how to make it.

I was so angry. He didn't come home for three days. Pass me the cilantro.

So, I took two of his damn Aztec idols, that he adores, you know.

And I smashed the pieces of clay in the boiling pot of beef stock and told him it was sopa Azteca.

-Medea! Did he eat it?

-He did.

-Did he like it?

He loved it.

Of course, until he found out.

Then he got sick. He got furious. Oof!

It didn't make me feel any better.

And it definitely didn't stop him from cheating.

But what the hell?

Mama... > CLATTERING

Brute! Get out!

Come on! Ven aqui. Oh...

Marie! ..Come on. Let's go... Time for your nap.

The other night...I was very drunk.

I know. It's all right.

SHE SIGHS

Diego has never belonged to anybody.

He belongs only to himself.

And that, of course, is what makes him so desirable.

He's the best of friends and the worst of husbands.

Diego will never be anyone's husband. Not really.

We'll see.

You'll know it's over when he gets the next commission out of town.

He'll say he'll send for you, then he never does.

-Senora Rivera?...

-Yes?

-Yes?

What do you think?

The tits lack...gravity.

Oh, come on!

Eat your posole while it's still hot.

It's not like you to be late for lunch, Diego.

I was at the ministry explaining why a history of the Mexican people

-is an appropriate subject for the Mexican National Palace.

-Again?

When I work, they scream about my politics.

When I don't work, they scream about the delays.

It's a farce.

Ugh. Diego!

-That model, huh?

-Yes.

It was just a fuck, that's all.

I've given more affection in a handshake.

Well, that makes me feel so much better.

Was she good, at least?

Not very.

Too bad. She had such a great ass.

When you get home, take a good bath.

We're going out tonight.

SHE SINGS IN SPANISH

More tequila!

Rivera! Hey!

Yeah, you.

You know what I think of you and your stinking murals?

HE SPITS

Why don't you get the fuck out of here, huh?

This is a bar for workers, not for government whores.

SHE STARTS TO SING

I tell you, that kid was one of Siqueiros' boys.

Siqueiros is a hero to these fucks, but what's he actually done? Nothing!

I put socialism on the government walls.

The Fascists call me the most dangerous subversive in the country,

-and

-I'm

-the traitor to the party?

Soon we'll have no-one left to drink with.

-It's not funny.

-I'm not kidding.

Tina says they'll kick you out of the party for the Palace mural.

They won't have to. I quit.

So you'll quit and keep on working.

That's all that matters to you any way.

I've been offered a show in New York.

A solo exhibition at the new Modern Museum.

It would be a wonderful entree.

I could get commissions out of it.

I thought you'd be excited.

They don't care that you're a Communist pig?

They can't afford to.

All the greatest painters are Communist pigs.

That's wonderful, Diego.

When do you leave?

As soon as you decide to come with me.

Oh, mi monstrito! We'll take Gringolandia by storm.

'Dear Cristi, the invasion of Gringolandia has begun.

'They are never gonna know what hit them.

'New York has Diego on fire.'

-What's your impression of New York, Mr Rivera?

-Magnificent.

There is no reason why any artist born in our two continents

should go to Europe for inspiration.

It is all here... the might, the power, the energy.

The sadness. The glory and youthfulness of our American lands.

'I see the majesty that Diego sees.

'But all that American comfort is a myth.

'While the rich drink their coctelitos, thousands are starving.

'Diego is working almost constantly to prepare for his show, so I have to find ways to entertain myself.'

Aah! Aah! Aah!

Aargh!

SIREN SOUNDS

Grrr! Grrr!

SHE SCREAMS

Breaking all records, over 50,000 people have lined up outside

New York's new Museum of Modern Art

to see the paintings of Mexico's greatest artist, Diego Rivera,

the most talked about man this side of the Rio Grande.

Senor Diego Rivera! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'The gringos are friendly enough, but the most important thing in

'Gringolandia is to have ambition, to succeed in becoming somebody.

'And the somebodies are the only ones that interest them.

'I despise this pretension.

'Being la gran caca interests me not at all.

'Of course, Diego loves it.

'He's like a big Mexican pinata with enough candy for everyone.

'Everything about this country inspires him.'

Two loose eggs, hot cinnamon bun, two black coffees. Anything else?

That's fine. Thank you.

OK. Are you guys ready? Hmm?

Well, I never thought I'd hear myself say this,

but you were

better than your husband.

You weren't upset about that, were you?

I mean he... he said you wouldn't be.

Oh, he did, did he?

Well, you weren't the first, and you won't be the last.

Why do you put up with it?

Look, Diego's how he is, and that's how I love him.

I cannot love him for what he's not.

Anyway, my sweet Gracie,

I get along just fine.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you.

-Over here.

-Can we get your picture?

-Mr Rivera...

-That's a lot of wall.

-It's all there is.

Please. Please, I have to get back to work. I'm sorry.

Are you a painter too, Mrs Rivera?

No. Just killing time.

She's much better than me.

You'll see.

What did the doctor say?

He might be able to improve the pain, but the bones would have to be reset. Blah, blah, blah.

Blah, blah, blah. The usual speech. I know it by heart.

(I'm pregnant.)

Oh.

Can your body take it?

-If it can take you, it can take a little Dieguito.

-No, no, Frida.

He's not very optimistic.

This is not...

SHE SIGHS

I can't bear to think of you in pain.

I'm used to pain.

This is not...

I'm not a good example of...

It's not a good time.

There's the Rockefeller commission.

Detroit. Chicago. All that travelling.

No, it's too much.

You really want this baby, Frida?

-I do.

-All right.

-All right?

-All right, let's try and have this baby.

Shh, shh, shh.

Listen, listen.

Hmm.

He's reciting The Communist Manifesto.

GROANING

Hoy!

-She's lost a lot of blood.

-I want to see her!

She needs to sleep. You should go home and try and get some rest.

-Frida!

-You should be in bed, Mrs Rivera.

-The baby came out in pieces.

-Come with me. Let's go back to bed.

It never formed properly.

-We can try again, but you must rest...

-Mrs Rivera...

-But he's my son.

-Mrs Rivera.

I want to see him!

What did you do with him?!

I want to see my son!

-Mr Rivera, please...

-Hey!

-What did you do with him?!

All right, chiquita, I'll take care of it.

-Diego...

-I promise.

I promise.

HE SOBS

-What the hell is this?

-Breakfast.

You trying to kill me?

-I need fuel to work.

-Listen, panzon, if you get any fatter, it's going to be you in the hospital next time.

You know, I don't believe in God,

but I still thank him every day that he kept you safe for me.

Hmm, really?

I tell him he's got a lot of explaining to do.

DIEGO LAUGHS

From now on, I'm going to get Rockefeller to bring my breakfast over from 21.

Uh-oh.

Frida?

WOMEN PRAY QUIETLY

Frida. You are here.

THEY PRAY QUIETLY

I left him.

And that was his parting gift?

I should have been there for you.

You're here now.

She'll throw a fit if I let her damn plants die.

We fought so much. Sometimes I...

sometimes I would regret that I ever married her.

I would think how I hated her.

You do enough damage to one another, you begin to think that way.

Well, then she gets sick and...

I tend her garden.

THEY PRAY

MOB CRIES OUT ANGRILY

You'd seen my work. You knew my politics when you hired me.

-Yes.

-I showed you the sketches.

-I discussed them with you and your father.

-Yes.

What were you expecting? A line of dancing girls?

No, but nor was I expecting a portrait of Lenin.

Now, let's be honest. In the sketches that you showed me originally, it was just some anonymous worker.

He transformed himself into Lenin of his own accord.

-No,

-you

-transformed him into Lenin because they took shots at us in the paper!

Do you really think that my family is influenced by newspaper hacks?

I would've defended you.

I will defend you against any attack because the work is thrilling.

As always.

But a portrait of Vladimir Lenin will offend many people,

in particular, my father.

You see, you're putting me in an impossible position.

So I'm asking you to please change this one detail.

It's against my principles.

Yes, well, you've adjusted your principles to come to our parties and eat at our table,

so I hope you will reconsider.

MOB CRIES OUT

You've got quite a crowd out there. Half of them think you're the devil.

Half of them think you're a hero.

Tell me honestly what you think.

-If you lie down with dogs, you should expect fleas.

-No, seriously.

-This is really frightening me.

-Why?

Because I'm actually wondering if he's right.

Perhaps I am being foolish,

-risking too much.

-Diego, you can't lose.

Forget about artistic integrity.

You've done better ones than this, and you'll do more.

But whatever happens, you have aroused people.

You've made them get passionate about their ideals.

There's not another painter in the world who can say that.

He could walk in here tomorrow and tear it down. You'd still have won.

Ah, maybe.

He doesn't have the balls.

MOB OUTSIDE CRIES OUT

(Diego!)

Senor Rivera. I must ask you one last time to reconsider your position.

I will not compromise my vision.

In that case, this is your fee,

paid in full, as agreed.

But your services are no longer required.

-It's my painting!

-On my wall.

It's the people's wall! You bastard!

DOOR SLAMS

DRILLING

SPLASH!

FRONT DOOR OPENS

Diego, let's go home.

Frida, we have to fight these bastards.

They tore down the wall, but the painting is up here.

I'll do it again, and I'll use his money!

-What money? We don't even have enough to get to Chicago.

-We're not going to Chicago.

They cancelled the commission.

It's time to go home.

What?! With my tail between my legs?

We don't belong here. I am tired of these people, and I am tired of who you are around them.

See that?! Hmm?

You want to go back to that?!

Yes! I want to go back to that!

Ahh.

-I'm working.

-I can see that.

I brought you some lunch.

The doctor says you should eat more, for once.

Puta madre!

Diego.

All right, that's enough.

Diego!

Diego, stop!

IT WHIMPERS

Lord Xolotl, prince of darkness.

You're the best art critic there is.

Only you see what shit this country has made of me.

Diego.

You need help.

Frida, why do you and Diego have separate houses?

Because we are two different people, but our love makes us into one.

That's why we have the bridge.

So, you mean, the bridge is your love?

Yeah. That's a good way to put it.

Then why is it such a small bridge?

He's not working. He's sick.

He's depressed.

He says the people in this country are like mules, they're so stupid.

And he blames it all on me for making him come back.

That's ridiculous.

Still, you are lucky to have him.

I feel so desperate every day.

Sometimes I even think of going back.

Well, you're not.

What about a job?

-You could help me out organizing Diego's studio.

-Where do I start?

-Don't touch anything.

-Diego.

Don't worry. (He's a pussycat.)

LIVELY FIESTA MUSIC PLAYS

-Grrr! Aaar!

-CHILDREN GIGGLE

Shh!

Aaar!

SHE GASPS

Go downstairs and play. Now!

-Now!

-Oh, my God.

Ay!

My goddamn sister! You're an animal!

-Hijo de puta!

-Frida, Frida.

-Get out! Get out!

Frida. Frida!

I'm a beast. Yes.

I-I-I'm an idiot, but it meant nothing, Frida, nothing.

Frida, talk to me!

There have been two big accidents in my life, Diego, the trolley and you.

You are by far the worst.

# Ya me canso de llorar

# Y no amanece

# Ya no se si maldecirte

# O por ti rezar

# Tengo miedo

# De buscarte y de encontrarte

# Donde me aseguran

# Mis amigos

# Que te vas

# Y agarraste por tu cuenta

# La parranda

# Paloma negra

# Paloma negra... #

MUSIC CONTINUES

Get out!

Out! Out! Go!

It's a limp up three flights of stairs, I can't afford any furniture, and it's cold at night.

But at least I know who's fucking who in my own house.

Diego's not giving you any money?

I'd rather be poor.

She was my sister,

not some model.

My own sister.

-To hell with him.

-To hell with him.

Find some work. Pay your own bills for a while.

-I'll sell some paintings.

-Not enough to cover your bar bill.

No, don't get me wrong. I love your paintings.

I'm just not sure you should count on them for a living.

They're tough, you know.

I mean, look at this. What the hell is this?

It was in the damn papers.

A man stabbed his wife 22 times, and when the judge asked him why

he did it, he said, "But it was just a few small nips."

Oh.

-Who's that?

-The ghost of Frida Kahlo.

Oh, I remember her.

How are you?

Lonely.

Only you ghosts come to visit these days.

So, how is your Diego?

I don't know why I called him that.

He was never mine. Never will be.

But he's fine. Painting, I guess.

-And you? Are you also painting?

-Yes.

And I want you to pose for me. You don't even have to leave the house.

I want to leave the house.

All right, then. We'll go somewhere different every day.

That sounds good. You've painted everyone else in the family.

Yes.

A long time ago.

SHE SIGHS

Remind me what I wanted then.

You wanted to be your own person.

THEY SING IN SPANISH

Frida.

She never liked you, you know.

She told me you would only bring me troubles.

There is something I must discuss with you.

A favour I need to ask of you.

You've got a lot of nerve to come here asking me to do you favours.

No, it's not for me. It's Trotsky.

The Norwegians have expelled him, no other country will take him, and Stalin wants him dead.

I have appealed to President Cardenas myself.

They have granted him asylum here in Mexico.

I want you to welcome him with me.

Let him live in your father's house.

I know it's a lot to ask, but this is a difficult transition for them.

And you, Frida...

..you bring life and warmth to any place.

Anyway...

Trotsky is a very great man in enormous danger, and we have the opportunity to help him.

Yes, all right.

Such commotion.

I don't understand, such a commotion for a philosopher.

A very great man, Papa. A true revolutionary.

It's an important service we're doing.

If you admire him, why don't you advise him not to get involved in politics?

Politics are ruinous.

Good advice, Papa. I'm sure he'll agree.

I regret it was not possible for me to meet you at your boat.

Natalia and I, we are deeply indebted to you for your generosity in these difficult times.

Your charming wife, she has made the last leg of our trip such a delight.

We are profoundly honoured to have you and your wife in our home.

Ay, Diego, they're starving.

-Let's feed them.

-TROTSKY SPEAKS RUSSIAN

Thank you.

-LAUGHTER

-No, it's true!

It's true! I could not believe it!

These people are idiots! They scream about Hitler's aggression,

and then sing Stalin's praises. Aren't they the same creature?

Yes, but not exactly. Of course they are both monsters,

-but Hitler at least is a madman with a vision.

-Vision? He's insane!

Of course he is insane, but he has the ability

to mobilise the people's minds, whereas Stalin, he's...

he is so dull. LAUGHTER

There is the brutality, but when you get right down to it,

Stalin is nothing but a bureaucrat,

and that is what is smothering our revolution.

They are the same, but only in that the insanity of power has overruled them.

And between them, they will consume the continent.

-Madness.

-Yes, but a challenge.

Look at us!

Mexican, Russian, French, in this wonderful new planet Rivera!

I tell you this, my friends, in the experience of my lifetime,

the failure and the pain have certainly outstripped the triumphs.

But this has not only not destroyed my faith, my faith in reason,

in truth, in human solidarity, but, on the contrary,

it has made it indestructible.

I see the hope of the world in you, and, from my heart, I thank you.

-Na zdorov'ya!.

-Na zdorov'ya!

-Salud!

-Salud!

Imagine living your life like that,

-with a price on your head, and staying so calm.

-Yes.

Good night, Diego.

Whoo!

Oh, stop it, Andre.

-I hate flattery.

-I don't care. It is wonderful, wonderful work.

-Have you seen all these?

-Of course. I tell her all the time.

Julian Levy took a couple of her paintings to New York,

and sold both of them,

and she sold another four to that actor, the gangster.

-Edward G. Robinson.

-Yeah, for 200 apiece.

He was robbed. We haven't been able to fool anyone else.

My little paintings can't mean anything to anyone but me.

Stop! Get down! They put a bag by the door! Get back!

-Let's get inside.

-Get back!

-Inside, quickly.

-Cover him! Hurry!

-Inside!

Frida! Frida, what are you doing?

I give you five seconds to get out of here.

One, two...

GUN FIRES, WOMEN SCREAM

It's all right. It's all right. Sorry about that.

-It was my mother's sisters.

-What do you mean?

They were leaving icons, and sprinkling holy water.

They think this house is cursed, and you are the Antichrist.

I want you to think about it seriously.

You could be part of the Mexican exhibition in Paris.

What I really want is a show in my own country.

Which they will give you, once you become famous somewhere else.

Your paintings should be seen.

-So, who is coming up with me?

-It's harder than you think.

-Ah, everything is harder than we think.

-I'll go!

-Are you sure?

If an old man can do it, why not a cripple?

No, no, no, no.

-It's OK. I don't think assassins are waiting at the top.

-I'll race you.

Frida, how were you hurt?

I couldn't even tell you any more.

I've been cut into, rebroke, and reset so many times.

I'm like a jigsaw puzzle.

And all the operations have done more damage than the accident, for all I know.

Everything hurts.

But the leg, the leg is the worst.

But I'm all right.

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.

That's what I loved about your paintings,

that they carry that message.

You said that nobody would care about them, but I think you are wrong,

because your paintings express what everyone feels...

..that they are alone in pain.

Maybe.

Leon, tell me about your children.

My children.

We knew the girls had been murdered, and one of the boys.

We thought the other was still alive in the prison.

But that letter came.

He was executed, too. They are all gone.

I have condemned my family, as I am condemned.

-You mustn't say that.

-But it's true.

Stalin has more power than any tsar.

I'm alone, with few friends,

and no resources against the world's biggest killing machine.

So, what can I do, but keep on working, living.

You cannot imagine what a joy it is for me to be here,

to see all this.

It is the first time I felt like a real person in years.

In his book, "State and Revolution",

Lenin purged from the genuine teaching of Karl Marx

all the spurious ingredients introduced by the social democracy.

John, I am picking it up from "social democracy".

Frida!

-This is the book I mentioned. Tell me what you think.

-Thank you.

I'll be back in an hour!

< TROTSKYS ARGUE IN RUSSIAN

No, no, no, no, no. It is better this way.

We will stop disrupting your lives.

We're not going far, just around the corner.

I wish you would reconsider, if only for security.

We will be more than safe.

-Trust me.

-Do svidaniya.

Many thanks, my friend.

We'll see you soon.

Natalia.

It makes no sense. It was for his own well-being.

He's not thinking of his well-being. He's thinking of hers.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about somebody willing to sacrifice some of their own pleasure,

rather than go on hurting the woman who loves him.

-Have you lost your mind?

-Go to hell, Diego.

You know what the consequences of this could be?

-He's not scared. Why should you be?

-Dear God, Frida, of all people, why?

Because we wanted to.

You've broken my heart, Frida.

It hurts, doesn't it?

But why?

It was just a fuck, like a handshake.

I told you who I was when you married me.

Yes, you did, and I married you anyway,

and you promised to be loyal.

You've been my comrade, my fellow artist, my best friend.

-But you've never been my husband.

-Fridocha...

'Dear Diego, how are you, panzon?'

'Why didn't you tell me Paris was such a nightmare?'

SHE SINGS IN FRENCH

'The French are the most pretentious bores in the world.'

'I'd rather sit on the floor of a market in Toluca, selling tortillas,

'than have to listen to the prattling of the artistic bitches of Paris.'

'There really hasn't been as much interest in the exhibition as Breton promised.'

'Mexican artists are nothing but an exotic curiosity here.'

'All in all, it's been lonely, and I crave news from home.'

'Diego, this letter is a lie.'

'Paris has been good to me.'

'But without you, it means nothing.'

'All the rage of our 12 years together passes through me,

'and I am left knowing that I love you more than my own skin.'

'And though you may not love me as much, you do love me a little, don't you?'

'If this is not true, I'll always be hopeful that it could be.'

'I adore you. Frida.'

< SCREAMS AND COMMOTION

There are rumours going around that I wanted Trotsky killed.

We fought lately, it's true, but...

They may try to arrest me again.

-Talk to the president.

-No. No, I'm going to California.

-California?

-Yes.

And, Frida...

I want us to divorce.

For who? That American actress?

-Jesus, Diego.

-No, Frida, no.

It will be better. We have both done better as friends.

-I haven't.

-You have.

-You're doing well. I'm proud of you. You don't need...

-Enough.

If you want to go, just go.

WOMAN SINGS IN SPANISH

SHE SINGS IN SPANISH

KNOCK AT DOOR

Listen to me.

I don't particularly care for Mr. Trotsky,

but we can't go around having political refugees murdered in our country, now, can we?

Once more.

Where is your husband?

I don't have a husband.

Frida?

Oh, my God.

Cristi...

I'm so sorry.

It was not your fault.

It was mine.

I should have never put you in the room with him.

What did you do to get me out of here?

Diego. He went crazy when he heard.

He called President Cardenas immediately.

Ay...Diego.

Not much more.

How long has your foot been like this?

Who knows? Let's take one disaster at a time.

Just patch me up so I can paint, please.

These are gangrened. They'll have to come off.

You're lucky it hasn't spread to your leg.

You've lost weight.

You've lost your toes.

Is that why you're here?

To offer your condolences?

I'm here to see how you are.

-How do you feel?

-Tired of answering that question.

Otherwise, like shit. How are you?

I'm...

I'm here to ask you to marry me.

I don't need rescuing, Diego.

I do.

I've lost the toes of one foot.

My back is useless. I have an infection of the kidneys.

I smoke. I drink. I curse.

I can't have children.

I have no money, and a stack of hospital bills. Should I keep going?

That's practically a letter of recommendation.

Frida...

Frida...

I miss us.

They say you should never believe a limping dog,

or the tears of a woman.

They're wrong.

THEY SING IN SPANISH

Cristina!

Come on!

"Feet, what do I need you for, if I have wings to fly?"

I want you to burn this Judas of a body.

I don't want to be buried.

I've spent enough time lying down.

Burn it.

Frida...

No, I don't think I'm Frida any more.

I think all the Frida in me has disappeared.

Look at what's left.

Why do you stay?

You stupid girl.

Are you crazy? I forbid it!

Stop it, Diego! You can't force me to stay!

-Oh, yes, I can!

-Give it to me!

No, Frida! No, we've been through all this before!

I'm going, damn it! Give me back my fucking leg!

-Doctor, please help me.

-What's going on here?

I told her she had to stay in bed. She demanded we call you.

-I'm going to my exhibition.

-Frida...

I've waited for a show in my own country my whole life.

I'm not going to miss it.

If the bronchitis gets worse, it will turn into pneumonia.

Frida, under no circumstances are you to leave this bed.

I'll bring you back all the gossip, I promise.

CRISTINA!

There was this skinny kid, with these eyebrows, shouting up at me,

"Diego, I want to show you my paintings!"

But, of course, she made me come down to her.

THEY LAUGH

I did, and... I've never stopped looking.

But I want to speak about Frida, not as her husband, but as an artist.

I admire her.

Her work is acid, and tender.

Hard as steel, fine as a butterfly's wing.

Lovable as a smile.

Cruel as...the bitterness of life.

I don't believe...

..that ever before has a woman put such agonised poetry on canvas.

Shut up, panzon!

Who died?

THEY APPLAUD HER

Where is the music?

You see, doctorcito, I followed your orders.

-I didn't leave my bed.

-Frida.

Ay, Doctor, if you let me have this tequila,

I promise not to drink at my funeral.

-It's a deal.

-To Frida!

-To Frida!

SHE SINGS IN SPANISH

-Are you all right?

-Lie down with me.

25 years together, mi Dieguito.

Frida.

Happy silver.

It's not for two more weeks.

17 days.

# Burn this house

# Burn it blue

# Heart running on empty

# So lost without you

# But the night sky blooms with fire

# And the burning bed floats higher

# And she's free to fly... #