It’s the tale of Two Fridas, or it’s the tale of Two Salmas. 

It’s the movie poster for Salma Hayak’s bio-flick Frida. In this image, the Frida on the right is dressed up in traditional Mexican dress, a Tehuana blouse and skirt.  The choice of dress clearly reflects Frida’s pride for her Mexican culture and roots.   This look was known to be admired and respected by her lover Diego Rivera. In this dress, Frida looks happy.

The Frida on the left  represents her feminist side.  Frida is dressed in manly clothes. She’s wearing a large dark suit with her shirt buttoned up to the chin.

Clearly this image is drawn from her famous Self-portrait with Cropped Hair.  At one point of her life, Frida felt she was admired only for her feminine characteristics, so she cut of her hair.  She wanted to be loved for her mind and spirit.  Here she looks rebellious.

The first thing that drew my attention to the poster was its resemblance to Frida’s famous self-portrait The Two Fridas.  I could say the original is more violent.  There are scissors and blood and body parts.  The painting was created shortly after a separation and/or divorce. The hearts of the two women are exposed.  The tone is angry.  I think the imagery in the movie poster emphasizes the complexity of Frida without offending or frightening a broader audience. The facial expressions in the movie poster are more polite, innocent.

The poster invites a global audience to learn of a famous 20^th century painter. 

Frida loved, she suffered, and her self-portraits convey her passion and identity.  Ironically, the world is probably more attune to Salma than Frida.  Salma may be the face of international cinema while Frida will always remain known for her talent and paintings.     For profit motives, the designer of the poster probably thought more of Salma’s looks than Frida’s talent.

Our attraction to Frida the artist may equal our love for Frida the person.  This poster’s message tells us to look at both sides of Frida.  On the left-hand side, Frida looks defiant.  Her mouth is turned downward. Her legs are spread like she’s ready to pounce if you won’t accept the way she is.  On the right-hand side, Frida looks more confident, like she knows where she has come from and where she is headed.

The words below the Two Fridas -  “Prepare to be seduced” – raise an element of pathos in the ad.  I mean, seduction is an emotional appeal.  The authors of the message want us to love Frida.  But here is the question, are we going to be attracted to the man-like Frida or her feminine side?  I like the font used for the title.  It’s makes the message personal.  I’m ready.   Recently I went back to Salma’s Frida to review the scene where Frida brings a visiting female photographer out onto the dance floor to engage in a sensual tango.  I can imagine many critics out there wincing at the historical accuracy of the scene.  Salma’s character is hot and sexy compared to Frida’s rough and edgy real-life persona, but what we all probably forget in watching the dance is that Fridahad suffered severe spinal chord, leg and foot injury form her life-threatening trolley accident when she was a teenager.   Much of her life was spent in traction or a wheel chair. She also grew with polio which significantly weakened her right leg.

Does this historical inaccuracy affect my enjoyment of the movie?  No,  it does not.  Frida was a fighter.  She overcame incredible physical and emotional pain.  She painted on her back in her hospital bed.  She painted herself sitting in her own wheelchair.  Let her go.  Two Fridas.  Two Salmas.    Frida’s life and artwork aren’t  about reality;  they are  about possibility…