Frida Quotes
A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.
Tina Modotti: I don't believe in marriage.
[crowd laughs]
Tina Modotti: No, I really don't. Let me be clear about that. I think at worst it's a hostile political act, a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion - these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don't think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical and courageous and very romantic. To Diego and Frida.
[crowd laughs]
Tina Modotti: No, I really don't. Let me be clear about that. I think at worst it's a hostile political act, a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense. At best, it's a happy delusion - these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they're about to make each other. But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don't think it's conservative or delusional. I think it's radical and courageous and very romantic. To Diego and Frida.
Diego Rivera: [upon learning Frida has been unfaithful to him with Leon Trotsky] You've broken my heart, Frida.
Frida Kahlo: It hurts doesn't it? But why? It was just a fuck, like a handshake.
Diego Rivera: No. I told you who I was when you married me.
Frida Kahlo: Yes, you did, and I married you anyway. And, you promised to be loyal. You have been my comrade, my fellow artist... my best friend. But you've never been my husband.
Frida Kahlo: It hurts doesn't it? But why? It was just a fuck, like a handshake.
Diego Rivera: No. I told you who I was when you married me.
Frida Kahlo: Yes, you did, and I married you anyway. And, you promised to be loyal. You have been my comrade, my fellow artist... my best friend. But you've never been my husband.
Diego Rivera: There was this skinny kid with these eyebrows shouting up at me, "Diego, I want to show you my paintings!" But, of course, she made me come down to her, and I did, and I've never stopped looking. But I want to speak about Frida not as her husband, but as an artist. I admire her. Her work is acid and tender... hard as steel... and fine as a butterfly's wing. Loveable as a smile... cruel as... the bitterness of life. I don't believe... that ever before has a women put such agonized poetry on canvas.
Frida Kahlo: [as she's brought into the gallery] Shut up, panzon. Who died?
Frida Kahlo: [as she's brought into the gallery] Shut up, panzon. Who died?
Nelson Rockefeller: Señor Rivera, I must ask you one last time to reconsider your position.
Diego Rivera: I will not compromise my vision.
Nelson Rockefeller: In that case, this is your fee, paid in full, as agreed, but your services are no longer required.
Diego Rivera: It's my painting!
Nelson Rockefeller: On my wall.
Diego Rivera: It's the people's wall, you bastard!
Diego Rivera: I will not compromise my vision.
Nelson Rockefeller: In that case, this is your fee, paid in full, as agreed, but your services are no longer required.
Diego Rivera: It's my painting!
Nelson Rockefeller: On my wall.
Diego Rivera: It's the people's wall, you bastard!
