¡Hola Frida! is based on the beautiful book Frida, c’est moi by Sophie Faucher. Faucher co-writes the screenplay with Anne Bryan and André Kadi, while Kadi directs alongside Karine Vezina. Together, these artists craft a resplendent portrait of Frida Kahlo’s childhood—one that is as honest about her sorrows as it is about her joys. In this day and age when kids are inundated by the hyperactive idiocy of YouTube content that is as weightless as cotton candy, ¡Hola Frida! operates much like the thoughtful, enriching content of (the now defunded) PBS—moving with a slow and steady pace and emotional depth. Methodical storytelling and calm reflection has become a lost art in children’s entertainment.
Throughout the film, Frida has to learn patience, and the film itself is an exercise in patience. There is upward momentum toward a traditional climax; instead, it offers more of a slice of life—not of an artistic genius, but of an ordinary girl navigating the same adolescent struggles as most ordinary girls. Frida learns to stay strong in a patriarchal and often cruel world that tries to beat down those who are different, like Frida, who prefers to wear pants and moves slowly due to a disability. One of the most moving moments comes when Frida longs to participate in a race, showing children that while disability can bring challenges, it does not define them, and they are capable of greatness.
¡Hola Frida! proves that children can handle heavy themes if they are treated sensitively. Frida had a hard time growing up in Mexico because she was bedridden at a young age due to polio, which left her with a right leg that was thinner and shorter than her left—something her classmates cruelly mock as a “chicken leg.” This causes her great pain in her day-to-day life, one that is shadowed by visions of a spooky grim reaper figure, “La Muerta,” the death that almost claimed her when she was ill. It's a sinister force that she feels is constantly hovering, ready to snatch her soul again. To counter her fears, Frida conjures a comforting imaginary friend who inhabits a surreal and colorful dream world that helps lift her out of her troubles. The film’s fantastical sequences are just as poignant as its realistic ones. When Frida's father snaps photos of Frida in her lowest moments, ¡Hola Frida! teaches that sometimes you have to let yourself feel negative emotions. So many parents try to keep their kids in a safe little bubble where nothing bad ever happens to them, but that doesn’t make for resilient children, and it is that resilience that fueled Frida’s art.
The only time younger audiences may be a bit lost in ¡Hola Frida! is during the montage of Frida’s political accomplishments in Mexico at the end. The importance and meaning of her activism might go over their heads, but depending on the viewer’s age, it can serve as a way to start discussion and provide a history lesson. The colors of the film are vibrant, almost popping off the screen, and the animation moves with a lively whimsy. This is not a theatrical Disney fairytale, but an educational, truly feminist (adult Frida actually has armpit hair!), and vivid portrait of a real girl. It offers an empathetic perspective on the inner lives of those who are differently abled. ¡Hola Frida! is a marvelous celebration of artistic expression while teaching meaningful lessons for audiences of all ages. Editor's Choice.
Why should public and school libraries add this animated Frida Kahlo biography to their collections?
This bilingual-friendly animated feature offers a gentle, age-appropriate entry point to Frida Kahlo’s early life, weaving themes of resilience, disability inclusion, and feminist self-expression into a visually vibrant story. For public libraries, it supports family viewing, youth arts programming, and SEL initiatives by modeling patience, coping with fear, and embracing difference. For academic libraries, it complements children’s literature, Latin American studies, art education, and disability studies collections as an accessible cultural text that invites intergenerational discussion.
Can ¡Hola Frida! be used in children’s programming, art education, or Hispanic Heritage Month events?
Absolutely. Pair the film with hands-on art workshops (self-portraits, color symbolism, collage), journaling prompts about bravery and identity, and read-alouds from picture books about Frida. Children’s programmers can scaffold the heavier moments (illness, “La Muerta,” bullying) with caregiver guides and post-screening discussion questions, while educators can connect the closing montage to kid-friendly lessons on Mexican history and civic engagement. It’s an excellent fit for Hispanic Heritage Month events, inclusive storytimes, and classroom units on artists who transformed personal adversity into creativity.
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