Watch This Gorgeous Animated Movie Here: Sita Sings the Blues

[liz_marcs]

I've been meaning to post a gushing review about Sita Sings the Blues for weeks, but other things kind of got in the way.

So, what is Sita Sings the Blues, you ask?

It's a full-length animated feature by Illinois-based animator Nina Paley that's being distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike License. That's right. Not only does she want you to stream and download her movie for free, she wants you to spread the word.

So, is it worth it?

Oh. My. Yes. It's subversive, dazzling, funny, and touching. A movie that's sure to end with you grinning from ear to ear.

All built around the Ramayana, as hilariously told by 3 shadow puppets voiced by 3 Indian actors desperately trying to recall the details from their distant childhood. (This part of the movie is completely unscripted.)

It also a musical remix of the Ramayana as told from the point of view of Rama's beloved wife, Sita. Sita's musical voice Annette Hanshaw, a jazz vocalist from the 1920s.

Oh, and it's also about how Nina's marriage crumbled while her husband, Dave, was in India on a 6-month job.

As for why the movie isn't being commercially released, it involves problems with copyright holders. As it turns out, Annette Hanshaw's performances are no longer protected by copyright. However, the compositions underlying those songs are. Definitely read the FAQ. It's an eye-opening explanation that shows just how mid-list artists can be made to "disappear" because the copyright holder will lose too much money if they put the time and/or effort into drawing up contracts allowing people to pay for the privilege of using the work.

In any case, Nina Paley decided to set her work loose on the Internet (and on film festivals and on her local PBS station) for free. Yes, the copyright holder can still sue her, but since she's not actually earning any money on it, she's hoping they won't bother.

The Internet Archive is offering both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) downloads of the 1 hour, 21 minute film here. You can also download it from Nina's Web site here.

Oooooor, you can just stream the whole thing via this post here. *evil grin*

Streaming is via the Internet Archive.

Check out Sita Sings the Blues, The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told

Comments

[damned_colonial]

Have you read this critique of SSTB by bossymarmalade? I read it before I ever saw the film, and it's pretty interesting.

[liz_marcs]

It also is one person's opinion. Other people in India do not share that opinion.

Before I recommended the film, I did some research to make sure that Indians themselves were okay with this. Examples of organizations that are okay with this film? Nay, even going so far as to give it excellent reviews?

Times of India

Dear Cinema Indian Film Website

Voice of India

Tehelka (india's Independent Weekly)

Indian Film Festival of L.A.


So, yeah. Over here you've got one person who's offended. And over there, you've got a whole lot of people who share her culture who are rather happy with the film as a whole.

*shrug*

I also look a little askance at her claim of straight-up cultural appropriation for another reason:

• In the closing credits, the filmmaker not only urges people to go back and read the source materials for themselves, she provides a list of books they can read
  
  
• More than 90% of the voice talent and musical talent involved with the film (and it's a long list than you think), are Indian
  

This film clearly falls into a grey area (the grey area occupied by, I would argue, Kevin Smith's Dogma). Some people are going to be pissed the film even exists, most people are going to like it and see nothing wrong with it.

Don't get me wrong, she has every right to be upset. She has every right to express her opinion on it.

It's important to note, though, that lots and lots of other people who share her culture clearly disagree with her.

[theantijoss]

I'm not sure what happened to my original comment. *looks askance at DW* but I downloaded the film and will check it out. I've also read opinions on both sides of the cultural appropriation issue before going in to watch, so I feel like my eyes and ears are as open as they can be.

I so often don't know where to stand when it comes to these questions about media. On one hand, as my original comment here said, I'm all about subversive action, so yay to the way this movie is being distributed. But then reading criticisms leaves me wondering: where does the line between appropriation of cultural iconography end and cross-cultural storytelling and examination of mythical archetypes begin? And if there are issues of "ism" plaguing a piece of art/entertainment, does it then not have value? Is it not then enjoyable or worth viewing/hearing/reading? If someone is hurt by it, does it still deserve to exist?

Then I read the reviews you posted, and realize there's a myriad of interpretations about a piece's meaning and value. So who gets to decide when something is appropriate or offensive/hurtful? Specifically in this case -- which group of native Hindus get to decide whether this movie is positively subversive, asking questions people of that culture/religion don't often dare ask (or haven't in the past), or whether because it's written by an American (I assume) non-Hindu white woman and tells a modern story with sacred Hindu iconography, it is offensive.

I find the many points of this discussion compelling, and I haven't even seen the piece for myself yet.

All of this makes me wonder (and perhaps rightfully so) if the statue of Ganesh I have right in front of me on my desk, given to me by a friend and fellow student (she a Hindu) back in grad school, that I have loved and meditated on for many years as the remover of obstacles and the scribe of the gods... is just owning this statue offensive? Or is it okay because the giver was Hindu? Or would it only be okay if I didn't regard it as a sort of totem when I work, and just used it as a decoration?

Heh. I'm sorry I went off on this in your journal Liz. I'm just flooded with thinky thoughts, and as usual they're all over the place. One way or the other, I'll watch the piece and be even more edified with food for thought. So thank you! I thanked bossymarmalade for her viewpoint as well.

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm 15mns into this and already I can tell it's is a keeper. I adore the shadow puppets, they're gorgeously funny and awesome.

Off to finish. Thanks so much for the heads up, Liz.

[liz-marcs.livejournal.com]

It's a sweet little film, isn't it? Not to mention visually interesting to look at, and the music is quite fun.

I definitely have to go look for Anne Hanshaw.

[animeagan.livejournal.com]

I loved this. So much.

It has totally inspired me as a wishful animator, and I can't express how much I enjoyed it

Thank you so much for sharing this with your watch list. I have already sent it to 3 of my friends. <3

- Meg

[liz-marcs.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you like it. &hearts

It's a fun little film, and I'm glad you found it inspiring.

[fiareynne.livejournal.com]

...that's playing at my local indie theater right now.

[liz-marcs.livejournal.com]

The most likely got the print for free, since she's distributing it on the big screen.

I think the theater only has to "pay expenses" to get the print shipped to them. Also, if they're selling Sita stuff, the money does go to her.

[rei-c.livejournal.com]

Sent here by iyalode and in utter awe. What genius.