Salma and Frida

I find it incredible that Salma Hayek’s best film work was not even mentioned in the article about her Frida Khalo project (“Feeling Frida’s Pain” by Dana Calvo, July 15). Hayek starred in the internationally and critically acclaimed Mexican film “El Callejon de Los Milagros” or, in English, “Midaq Alley.” Is the failure to mention this “foreign” film an example of Tinsel Town myopia, or just a misguided attempt to spice up the story by making Hayek seem like an incompetent actress?

I think her present acting limitations may be due to still being more comfortable working in Spanish than in English. That may change. But thank God a Mexican actress has chosen to push for this project, and we now won’t be subjected to the absurdity of the Americans Madonna or Jennifer Lopez in this role.

TIMOTHY STEINER

Newbury Park

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While Frida Kahlo’s bisexuality has been extensively discussed, I have never read or heard any reference to photographer Tina Modotti being “openly bisexual.” Perhaps the confusion lies in the fact that Modotti and Edward Weston often cross-dressed at parties they gave in Mexico City, a practice common during the ‘20s.

At one of these gatherings where the group sat around penning witticisms about each other, Tina wrote, “Tina Modotti--profession--men!”

THERSE BACHAND

Los Angeles