Frida’s Family Tree

Regarding “The Frida Kahlo Sweepstakes Winner Is . . .” (Film Clips, Sept. 29).:

I was angered and saddened by producer Eduardo Russoff’s statement that “it’s not essential that a Mexican woman be cast in the lead because Frida was German-Jewish.”

This is incorrect. Her paternal grandparents were Hungarian Jews who migrated to Germany, where her father Wilhelm (Guillermo) was born. Her maternal grandparents were Spanish and Indian. Her mother, Matilde Calderon y Gonzalez, was born in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Was Russoff’s comment merely a function of his ignorance regarding the subject of a film that he will co-produce? Or was it merely another attempt to placate the public into accepting a white actor in a nonwhite role?

Kahlo loved Mexico and was fiercely proud of her rich history and culture. Her work reflects this love and pride. She was every inch a Mexicana. To honor her memory, as well as all she stood for, she should be played by one of the many gifted Mexican actresses we have today.

MICHELE CHEVEREZ

Santa Barbara