Screening

MFA Social Documentary Film presents a screening of Frida, the Sundance-winning film by Carla Gutiérrez.

Following the screening, MFA SocDoc faculty member Thom Powers will interview Carla Gutiérrez in a live taping of Powers’ Pure Nonfiction podcast ahead of the film’s release on Friday, March 15, via Amazon Prime.

This event is free and open to the public but space is limited; RSVP is required.

9:30am – Frida screening (88 minutes)

11:30am – Q&A with Frida director/editor Carla Gutiérrez led by Pure Nonfiction host and MFA SocDoc faculty member Thom Powers

Frida (2023, USA/Mexico, 88minutes, Spanish with English subtitles)

An intimately raw and magical journey through the life, mind, and heart of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Told through her own words for the very first time—drawn from her diary, revealing letters, essays and print interviews—and brought vividly to life by lyrical animation inspired by her unforgettable artwork.

Carla Gutiérrez, renowned for her masterful editing of films including Sundance Film Festival projects RBG (2018), When Two Worlds Collide (2016) and Cesar’s Last Fast (2014). Gutiérrez brings artistry and a deep understanding of her subject to an astonishing directorial debut. Through a cacophony of rich archival sights, music and journal entries joyfully brought to life, we become immersed in Frida’s interior world, fears, arduous relationships and events that drove her indelible artistic creations. Gutiérrez vibrantly guides us through Frida’s complex relationship to her own work, navigating the tension between art as commerce and painting for pleasure and self-knowledge. With reverence, thoughtfulness, and the color of pure emotion, Frida invites us to get to know one of the greatest artists of the 20th century in a completely new way.

Pure Nonfiction brings together top storytellers in the world of documentary films. Host Thom Powers is well-connected in this world as a documentary curator for the Toronto International Film Festival, DOC NYC, and SundanceNow Doc Club. He leads conversations that are frank, funny and revealing. Often the stories behind the scenes are as dramatic as what’s on the screen.