A while back, I posted a link to comic book artist Nina Paley's website, where she was turning her art into animation with a wonderful, off-beat film of The Ramayana, India's mythic tale of the goddess Sita and her turbulent relationship with the god Rama. All through her troubles and woes, the curvaceous Sita sings in the soulful voice of 1920's jazz singer Annette Hanshaw such classic songs as "Mean to Me" which seem perfectly at home (and wildly funny) in the ancient setting.
Nina Paley continued work on the shorter, episodic films and has now completed what looks to be a visually gorgeous, multilayered full length feature. Here's a press release description of the new 82 minute film, due out in Spring of 2008: "Sita is a goddess separated from her beloved Lord and husband Rama. Nina is an animator whose husband moves to India, then dumps her by email. Three hilarious shadow puppets narrate both ancient tragedy and modern comedy in this beautifully animated interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayana. Set to the 1920's jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw, Sita Sings the Blues earns its tagline as "The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told."
You can check out the trailer of the new film below, purchase prints made from the still (these are terrific!), or see a sneak preview at Oddball Films in San Francisco Dec. 1, 2007.
Oh, I have been dying for this to come out! Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Shveta | November 21, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I echo that, thanks for the reminder. I remember seeing a clip of this month's ago and loving it!
Posted by: Carl V. | November 23, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Oooh - I want to see this!
Posted by: Emma | November 25, 2007 at 05:21 AM
I love it!!! I must have a copy when it arrives on the market. I am getting married on the first day of summer & this would be a great gift for my new husband. What fun!
Posted by: Premadhana | February 29, 2008 at 08:40 AM