New Series About Iconic Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo Is in the Making, Report Says

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Jan 22, 2021 06:43 AM EST

CIC Media is reportedly partnering with the Frida Kahlo Corporation and Venezuelan composer and singer Carlos Baute to create a new drama series showing the iconic Mexican artist's life.

Joel Novoa and Marilu Godinez were reported to be creating the series, according to a Deadline report. Novoa was known to work on "Arrow," "Blood Treasure," and the feature film "God's Slave." He is set to direct the new series depicting the life of Frida Kahlo.

Novoa and Godinez both said they are creating a high concept series with a new wave of international content.

Frida Kahlo Series in Development

The writing duo said the series' idea is to talk about what the books don't, such as the subtext behind each painting and the richness of Mexico's history and revolution and themes important at this unprecedented time.

"We are currently developing and writing the basis of the series and expect to be ready to present the project in the upcoming weeks. Joel and Marilu are doing a superb job," Marlon Quintero, CIC Media's Managing Director and project leader, said in the report.

Carlos Dorado of the Frida Kahlo Corporation said that the corporation is always looking for talented people who know how to depict the iconic Frida Kahlo's life.

The team is seen to start the production of the series in the second half of 2021, while the presentation of the project to the market is seen to happen next month.

The team said they are currently developing and writing the series' basis and expect to be ready to present the project in the upcoming weeks. It will be the first drama series focusing on Kahlo in recent history.

Other Frida Kahlo Adaptations

Julie Taymor directed "Frida" in 2002, which cast Salma Hayek. The actress was known to co-produce the film based on the biography written by Hayden Herrera. The film earned six Oscar nominations and won Best Makeup and Best Original Score.

Kahlo was also seen in the Oscar-winning Pixar picture "Coco." According to a Yahoo Entertainment report, the Frida character in the animated feature was voiced by Natalia Cordova-Buckley.

"Frida: Viva la Vida" was also one of the many adaptations to depict the Mexican artist's life. Giovanni Troilo directed the docu-film in 2019. Nexo Digital distributed the docu-film in Italy from Nov. 25 to 27. "Frida: Viva la Vida" garnered mixed reviews from the audience.

In 2018, "Dos Fridas" was released. It was inspired by the relationship between Frida Kahlo and the Costa Rican nurse Judith Ferreto who took care of the Mexican artist during her final years.

According to a Frida Kahlo site, the film was shown in the Competition of the 22nd Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2018 and at Sundance in 2019.