Frida: Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook)
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Frida: Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook) Details
From Publishers Weekly Perhaps because it features the vibrant artwork of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Julie Taymor's Frida: Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film is one of the most aesthetically pleasing film companion books in years. The book's publication coincides with the long awaited release of the film, which stars Salma Hayek as the artist. In her introduction, Taymor, who directed Frida, explains how she condensed 30 years of Kahlo's life into a two-hour film, showed the artist at work, shot the film on location in Mexico and other eye-opening bits about the film. Salma Hayek then offers a brief introduction, which is followed by the illustrated screenplay, with sidebars interspersed that shed light on the characters-notably Kahlo's husband, Diego Rivera-and specific scenes. The book admirably juxtaposes film stills and reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, making this at once a tribute to the film and the life of the great artist. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more From Library Journal This illustrated screenplay of the forthcoming Frida offers both an array of set photos and quotes from actors, artists, and others involved in Frida's real and dramatized lives, including the artist herself. The screenplay-adapted from Hayden Herrera's Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by an uncredited Edward Norton and others-is the focal point of this book, which is being released in conjunction with the Miramax film starring Salma Hayek. Because the book includes both a foreword by Herrera praising director Taymor's translation of her words and Frida's life to the screen and an explanatory introduction by Taymor herself spelling out the steps she took to re-create Frida's physical and mental worlds, the second introduction by Hayek seems a bit unnecessary, although she was apparently the driving force behind the film. Here, as with Kahlo's world, the visual is paramount, so that the photographs of the actors on set help the reader visualize the script. Excerpts from Herrera's book, as well as from other works about both Kahlo and husband Diego Rivera, help give background to their lives and to the paintings reproduced here. A lively accompaniment to Taymor's film and Herrera's book, this illustrated companion is a good addition to film, biography, and art collections.Rachel Collins, "Library Journal"Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more About the Author Julie Taymor is the two-time Tony Award winner for The Lion King and one of the most imaginative and respected directors working in the performing arts today. Her work is celebrated in the art book Playing with Fire (Abrams) and a Bravo TV profile. She previously directed the Academy Award®-nominated adaptation of William Shakespeare's Titus. She lives in New York. Read more
Reviews
This book is a visual feast! Great photos and storiesbehind the making of the moive...A must for anyone who loved the moive .But no mention or photo of Lila Downs???Did I miss it??Her fabulous singing is a vitual part of the film!!I still gave the books five stars....but what gives??