Juonikuvaukset(1)
In her animation film, the director combines the story of Sita, an Indian goddess from the national epic "Ramayana" with the story of a modern-day woman whose husband informs her via email that he is leaving her.
In the Indian legend, Sita is given to Prince Rama in marriage after Rama conquers the other princely suitors for her hand. No sooner is Rama appointed crown prince than he falls victim of a plot that sends him into banishment for fourteen years. Sita accompanies her husband, but is abducted shortly afterwards. With the aid of friendly gods, Rama sets off in pursuit and, following a dangerous struggle, succeeds in freeing her. Rama and Sita return to their home where Rama is made king. But soon after this Rama begins to doubt his wife's fidelity and casts her out. Sita undergoes a fire test to prove her steadfastness, survives unscathed and returns to Rama.
In her debut film, the director combines a range of techniques – from classical animation film to computer-generated 3D animation. The film is accompanied by a soundtrack that merges Indian music with hit songs sung by Annette Hanshaw, a lascivious star of the 1920s.
(Berlinale)
Arvostelut (2)
After the calculated and overrated Slumdog Millionaire, Sita Sings the Blues brought me great joy and rehabilitated the world of Indian culture in my eyes. We are used to high-quality animation using various techniques, but besides several animation styles, Sita Sings the Blues features five artistic techniques, precision in execution, a humorous perspective, and an imaginative confrontation with the Western world. On one hand, Sita sings jazz songs from the 1920s in one storyline, and on the other hand, through a parallel story of an American married couple in the present, the director shows us that women have not had it easy with men in the past and do not have it easy today. It may be a small satisfaction for them that it works perfectly the other way around as well. The film itself tells the story of Sita's wife and her husband Rama simply, based on the classic Indian literature "Ramayana." One can also appreciate the exotic visual concept based on Indian cultural traditions. Sita Sings the Blues is imaginative, colorful, and simply has a swing. Overall impression: 95%.
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If this film wasn't primarily a therapeutic tool for Nina Paley to use on herself, she has certainly and effectively offered it to everyone around the world whose relationships are in tatters. The incredibly authentic feelings that can only be healed with the help of shared pain and its translation into an interpretation of a classic epic is something that is simply amazing. Rarely have I been so torn between chills of realism and a feast for the eyes, humor, and beautiful blues.
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