Salma Hayek Says Frida Was Once Considered Impossible to Make

Hollywood star Salma Hayek has disclosed that while she was working on the film Frida, she was told it would never get made. On the film's 24th anniversary, she reflected on the doubts that surrounded the project in its early stages.

On Sunday, Hayek shared glimpses from the film on her official social media platform to celebrate the milestone. She also explained how the project initially faced a number of apprehensions.

Hayek posted that she had once been told Frida would never be made, with people saying such a story would be hard to bring to Hollywood. She described the film as very Mexican, very intense, very political and very different. Her summary was blunt: many believed the movie would not succeed.

Her comments recall the period when the story of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo's life and struggles was being adapted for the screen. The film later drew significant praise from reviewers.

Earlier, in September of last year, Hayek honored Kahlo on the 100th anniversary of a devastating bus accident that permanently altered the painter's life. She paid tribute to the lasting impact of Kahlo's art and her resilience afterward.

In that message, Hayek noted that Kahlo was only 18 when the accident left her with unbearable injuries and months of bed rest. During that solitude, using a mirror and a paintbrush, Kahlo began to explore her inner world, transforming a way of coping with pain into her greatest contribution to the world.

According to Hayek, Kahlo's art reflects power, identity and the ability to endure adversity. Her legacy, Hayek said, shows that beauty and bravery can emerge even in life's toughest moments.

Directed by Julie Taymor, Frida is a biographical drama about the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. The film was widely admired by critics for bringing the artist's life, her battles and her distinctive artistic identity to the big screen.