CIC Media Teams Up with Frida Kahlo Corporation & Carlos Baute to Develop Drama Series About Iconic Mexican Artist

Frida Kahlo’s life story is headed to the small screen…

CIC Media is partnering with the Frida Kahlo Corporation and Venezuelan composer/singer Carlos Baute to create a drama series following the life of the iconic Mexican artist who has influenced, inspired and had a significant impact on the Latinx diaspora, the art world, feminism and culture as a whole.

Frida Kahlo

The writing team of Joel Novoa and Marilu Godinez are set to create the series. Novoa is attached to direct.

The partnership will create a slate of content to celebrate the life of Frida Kahlo in different genres.

Novoa and Godinez said that they are developing a “high concept series” that’ll blend the new wave of international content with their experience in the American studio system.

“The idea is to talk about what the books don’t,” said the writing duo in a joint statement. “The subtext behind each painting, the richness of Mexico’s 20th century and the revolution. Themes that are incredibly relevant at this unprecedented time.”

“We are currently developing and writing the basis of the series and expect to be ready to present the project in the upcoming weeks. Joel and Marilu are doing a superb job,” said Marlon Quintero, CIC Media’s Managing Director and project leader. “Working with the Frida Kahlo Corporation has been phenomenal, it has given us the ultimate blessing to work on what we can call the one and only official series about the iconic artist”.

Carlos Dorado of the Frida Kahlo Corporation added, “Frida Kahlo Corporation is always looking for talented people who know how to exalt the life of an icon like Frida Kahlo. In this case the professional team that has been formed is distinguished by its great professionalism, experience and most importantly the sensitivity to be able to approach a project as important and transcendental as Frida Kahlo. This high professional team will always have the support of Frida Kahlo Corporation”.

The team expects to start production of the series during the second half of 2021. A studio has already shown interest and the presentation of the project to the market is expected to occur in February.

This collaboration also marks the first fiction venture for Baute, who said, “Since Carlos Dorado told me about his newly acquired brand, I was mesmerized by all the possibilities in terms of music, theatre and content. It then took a few seconds to push this possibility through when I spoke to Marlon a couple of years ago and from there, we started working together on this incredible project.”

He continued, “Today we are about to turn the dream of three into a reality for millions of people through this historic project. I am very excited to create music to dress and accompany the story of the great Frida Kahlo, a character that I am sure millions of people want to know more about”

This will mark the first drama series focusing on Kahlo in recent history. In 2002, Julie Taymor directed Frida starring Salma Hayek, who also co-produced the film. Frida was based on the biography written by Hayden Herrera. It went on to earn six Oscar nominations, winning for Best Makeup and Best Original Score. More recently, Kahlo was voiced by Natalia Cordova-Buckley in the Oscar-winning Pixar pic Coco

In May, Deadline exclusively reported that Kartemquin Films selected Reveca Torres’ Tres Fridas as one of two projects for the inaugural Hulu/Kartemquin Accelerator Program for filmmakers of color. The film follows two artists paralyzed by spinal injuries. The two discover a shared connection to Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and decide to recreate her painting, “Dos Fridas,” using themselves as models.

Gomez to Star in Joel Novoa’s “Day of Reckoning” from Epic Pictures Group

Nick Gomez’s Day of Reckoning has arrived…

The Latino actor is set to star in Epic Pictures Group’s action fantasy film Day of Reckoning.

Nick Gomez

Directed by Venezuelan- American director Joel Novoa, the story is set in Los Angeles 15 years after the world suffered a horrendous disaster when demon-like-creatures invaded Earth and nearly destroyed mankind.

Jackson Hurst will portray mediocre husband and father David Shepperd, who tries to save his family when the demon creatures return to wreak havoc.

In addition to Gomez and Hurst, the film also stars Heather McComb, Hana Hayes, Jay Jay Warren, Raymond Barry and Randy Vasquez. 

Filming is set to begin this week in Los Angeles.

Gregory Gieras, who penned Epic’s sci-fi film Big Ass Spider, write the script.

Filming is set to begin this week in Los Angeles.

Gomez’s credits include television appearances on Bosch, Dexter and The Walking Dead.

Continental Media Acquires Novoa’s “God’s Slave” for Sales

Joel Novoa’s  latest project could make its way to theaters in the near future…

Continental Media has acquired the Venezuelan director’s film God’s Slave (Esclavo de Dios) for sales.

God's Slave

Inspired by true events, God’s Slave tells the story of Ahmed and David, two extremist characters, one Islamic and the other Jewish, who cross their paths while being in the opposite side of the conflict in the A.M.I.A bombings that took place in 1994 in Buenos Aires.

God’s Slave premieres next month at the Mar De Plata Film Festival.

The Venezuelan film stars Mohammed Alkhaldi, Daniela Alvarado and Devorah Lynne Dishington.

This is the first feature-length film for Novoa, who recently signed with Original Artists.

He’ll next direct ID2: Mad Mohammad.