Product Details

• Actors: Cora Cardona, Quigley Provost, Costa Caglage
• Directors: Ken Mandel
• Format: Full Screen, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: February 1, 1991
• Run Time: 59 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0970886802
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,833 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Caryn James, N.Y. Times

"Ms. Cardona..brings the depths of Frida's volcanic, tortured personality to life..and reveals both pain and astonishing strength"

Product Description

'Frida Kahlo: A Ribbon Around A Bomb' is a critically accalaimed documentary film based on the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The film is a fascinating portrait of Frida Kahlo the artist and human being. Poetry, music, excerpts from Teatro Dallas' production of Abraham Oceransky's play 'The Diary of Frida Kahlo', interviews with Kahlo's students and friends, and most importantly, her artwork weave throughout the film, transcending straight biography to create a passionate, impressionistic look at an artist whose life and work, both tragic and triumphant, increasingly speak to the sensibilities of today. Frida is, as one woman artist put it, "the perfect woman for our time".

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Attention Frida fans! For the devoutest of the devout only., September 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Frida Kahlo - A Ribbon Around A Bomb [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I had a hard time figuring out what the director had in mind with this tribute to Frida. Is this a play? A documentary? A poetry reading? Inserted into the very overwrought and sometimes embarrassing histrionics are some very fascinating reminiscences by people who actually knew the artist. The video is worth it just for that. But the acting was so bad and the concept so pretentious that I had my finger on the fast forward much of the time.

I'd almost ask for my money back, but the collector in me says no.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frida's Smile, February 1, 2002

By 

P. Fester (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frida Kahlo - A Ribbon Around A Bomb [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As the previous reviewer stated, the combination of the poetry/play/documentary is a bit too much. I personally think the play would be better off if it were on its own. It interrupts the rest of the video. As far as everything else, I'd recommend this video. I was really happy to see real (but short) film footage of Frida, and just for that I'd purchase the video.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Soooo BAD!!, December 1, 2004

By 

Frida Fan! (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Frida Kahlo - A Ribbon Around A Bomb [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am a huge Frida fan and probably seen every documentary ever made. I'm sorry to say that "A Ribbon Around A Bomb" was a BOMB! The interview's with Frida's students and people she knew were interesting - but the "skits" in between were awful. The woman who played the part of Frida was a good actress, but if I wanted to see Frida's life acted out, I'd just rent FRIDA with Salma Hayek (greatest movie ever!). Almost the entire documentary was "skits". Very very dissapointing.