If you are a parent who loves Frida Kahlo and has a young child, I want to make sure that the animated film Hola, Frida based on the animated series and book Frida, c’est moi is on your radar. It is a great way to introduce younger generations to the iconic Mexican artist in a sweet and relatable way because it focuses on her childhood.
The film reimagines a 6-year-old Frida living in Coyocán, Mexico in her now famous La Casa Azul with her mother, father, and sister. It was at this tender age that Frida contracted polio.
Inspired by Frida’s resilience at such a young age, the directors of the film — Karine Vézina and André Kadi — knew that sharing her story from this childhood perspective would inspire children worldwide.
What exactly is the film about?
Hola, Frida takes inspiration from and uses creative license to recreate Frida’s early years as a curious, creative, and boisterous child playfully exploring her village and learning about her cultural history. Her life changes abruptly when she is confined to her bedroom because she contracts polio. She suffers, of course, but she refuses to let her world become small. Instead, she throws open the doors of her imagination and creates a world of possibilities for herself.
Check out the trailer!
The film is perfect for families and children 7 years old and up. As of this writing, the film is unrated, but I’d give it a PG rating. It’s about 82 minutes long. It comes out in theaters on August 8 and its digital release is on September 30.
Bonus resources are available.
The film partnered with Humanity and Inclusion (formerly Handicap International), a recognized NGO in the disability and inclusion sector. Together they created free resources for kids, parents, educators, and organizations that include coloring sheets, an activity book, Lotería Frida, a teaching guide, and a resilience guide. Access the free resources here.
For me, one of the greatest pleasures of parenthood is introducing my children to people, places, ideas, and things that inspire me. I appreciate that this film gives parents of elementary school aged kids a way to share their love of Frida in a way that is entertaining, relatable, and age-appropriate.
