ABSTRACT
This chapter studies Nina Paley’s respective film adaptations of the Ramayana and the Book of Exodus from the Bible—Sita Sings the Blues (2008) and Seder-Masochism (2018). It argues that the films present Paley’s feminist takes on these foundational and civilizational texts as they ask critical questions of the representation of women therein. The feminist politics of the films, the chapter underlines, further combines effectively with aspects of Paley’s personal life in general and free-culture activism in particular to demand equitable access to the “commons” for peoples situated across the globe. Additionally, the chapter suggests that Paley’s feminism and free-culture activism can have potentially productive conversations and dialogues with other individuals and groups working toward related goals like the “gift economy”. Such a coming-together and alignment, it asserts further, will constitute “political activity” as defined by the renowned thinker Jacques Ranciere. Ultimately, the chapter argues that patriarchal and capitalist control of resources and political agency across the globe will only consolidate in the future if Paley’s feminist adaptations of key socio-cultural texts are unable to expand their scope and establish resonances with others working similarly toward achieving equal and affordable access to resources for all.
