Latinos Will Play Important Part in Making of ‘Frida’

It is the ultimate irony that a group of Latina actresses have targeted our film, “Frida and Diego,” as a vehicle of discrimination against Latinos as a result of our casting Laura San Giacomo in the role of artist Frida Kahlo (as reported in “ ‘Frida’ Movie Will Be Made, Valdez Vows,” Calendar, Aug. 7). Ironic because, in fact, this production makes use of perhaps a greater proportion of Latino talent both male and female than any Hollywood picture.

The project is based upon a book written by a Latina (Martha Zamora), the screenplay by two Latinos (Lupe and Luis Valdez) is being directed by a Latino (again, Valdez), has a Latina executive producer (Marusa Reyes), has been associated with a Latino producer (Eduardo Rossoff), has a Latino director of photography (Emanuel Lubezki), a Latino production designer (Joe Aubel), Latina production manager (Grazia Rade), Latina art director (Teresa Wachter) and virtually an entire Latino crew.

Starring opposite San Giacomo is Raul Julia, a Latino. The film will be co-produced by IMCINE, the Mexican government’s film entity.

And yet we have been singled out for attack over the choice of a non-Latina as Frida. Is this choice in fact discriminatory, or is it reasonable based upon the facts and reasonable discretion of those involved in the decision?

Latina actress Dyana Ortelli cast the first stone at Valdez in a Times article (Film Clips, Aug. 2), saying he was unsupportive of the Latino community. Valdez in fact has spent his entire life in support of Latinos and other minorities, first as an organizer with the United Farm Workers, and for more than 25 years as director of Teatro Campesino. His plays and movies (“Zoot Suit” and “La Bamba”) have sensitively dealt with Latin themes and have portrayed Latinos accurately and positively.

Some of those protesting the casting of San Giacomo as Frida were given their first professional acting jobs by Valdez and know him well, even have his home telephone number. It makes us question whether they really believe in what they are saying about Valdez, or are engaging in self-enhancing publicity at his expense.

The role of Frida was sought after not only by Latinas but also by some top non-Latin actresses in Hollywood. It should be noted that although Frida was a Mexican citizen, she was of mixed heritage, her father being a German-Jew who emigrated to Mexico as a young man. Mexico is one of the ultimate melting pots where for 500 years, Indians, Europeans, Asians and Africans have mixed their blood and have produced a society of all hues and colors called “Mexican.”

The fact that so many Hispanic women strongly identify with Frida is not a compelling argument to cast a Latina in the role, because women all over the world identify with Frida.

Those of us instrumental in casting the role of Frida had to take various elements into account: visual identity (because we are using Frida’s self portraits, the actress has to look like Frida), talent to play a demanding role and commercial viability.

In the Film Clips article, Latina actress Evelina Fernandez claims that Hollywood uses the excuse that “there are no Latino actors or actresses who have names and that’s the reason they give for not giving us work.”

That simply was not the case here. We considered and interviewed a number of Latina actresses with both the requisite name recognition and the talent. However, we were unable to find anyone who met our demands as well as did San Giacomo.

If in fact the decision had been made mainly for audience awareness, the obvious choice would have been Madonna. We had many chances to make this a “Madonna-like” picture but we did not. For one thing, she does not resemble Frida.

The reason we have gotten as far as we have is because we have focused on the Mexican community. We are making a Hollywood picture using and respecting Hispanic talent and people. We are passionate about understanding and representing the culture. That’s why we were able to get financing from the Mexican government. They liked the vision of the film as presented by Valdez.

It is unrealistic to believe that a film that will cost $10 million to make and market should not consider the commercial viability of its stars. While the making of films is an art, we cannot lose sight of the fact that it is also a business. Although there are times when affirmative action is called for, the casting of one role seems an inappropriate place for it.

Ask anyone in the industry--making films is a tough business. This is well illustrated by New Line Cinema’s recent departure as our financing entity. We hope those protesting the casting of Frida will realize that not only is this dispute a counterproductive stumbling block in the completion of a worthwhile project but also that they have picked the wrong target.

We believe we have been colorblind on this project and wonder why protesters have singled out the casting of Frida when there are better targets out there.