If you have time this Labor-day weekend for a gorgeous, hysterical and inspiring DVD, check out "Sita Sings the Blues," an animation by Nina Paley released last year. Based on one of the greatest epics of India (the Ramayana), it parallels the separation of the Goddess Sita from Lord Rama with Paley's own heart-wrenching divorce.
I only just discovered it.
While most reviews focus on the film's artistic talent, humor, or feminist vision, this is also a profound meditation on the nature of suffering and devotion. A dazzling soundtrack of jazz standards sung by Annette Henshaw adds to the depth and complexity.
The film had only a very limited run at art-house cinemas around the country. When it ran at the Red Vic last week in San Francisco I had the rare experience of wishing to buy it the moment it was over (which I did at Paley's site).
It's that good.
Below can give you an idea of the beauty of her work, (although this trailer was made by a crazed youtube fan who set it to the tune of countless Jewish weddings and bar mitzvahs "Hava Negilah", just for grins.)
For more information on the film, and the visionary Ms. Paley, www.sitasingstheblues.com
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Comments
Thanks for sharing, I'm already inspired!
What a brilliant film! SO funny and yes, very inspiring! Thanks, Tosha!
Nina Paley is soooo creative and LOL funny. Animation is beautiful!
Tks!
Super Fly!!!
you are a powerful voice of the collective! this is exactly how I feel today, and what I needed to see to be able to pinpoint it...
Great news! Nina Paley’s critically acclaimed animated feature “Sita Sings the Blues” is finally available to rent or own on DVD. Paley’s retelling of the Ramayana gives the ancient Hindu epic a spunky twist with vibrant, tongue-in-cheek animation and seductive music, courtesy of jazz legend Annette Hanshaw. This dazzling new film is available on DVD through Netflix and Amazon.
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