Okay so I have to tell you about a wonderful friend of mine, Reena Shah . I am always so inspired by this powerful artist with a knockout smile and spirit.
I don’t know if Reena knows this, but she is breaking boundaries. Minority actresses the world over have a hard time being embraced by the Anglo-obsessed film and entertainment industry, but Reena has managed to be a successful actress/singer/dancer all while embracing her Indian-American roots. You can see her in such films as The Guru (a film she also co-choreographed), Inside Man, After, Following Bliss, Every Dog’s Day, The Lucky Ones, Funny Valentine, Time and the Hour Run and upcoming indie film Ashes.
This month Reena has been performing sold-out shows with her husband Todd Michaelsen in their band My Pet Dragon . During their live shows, Reena combines traditional Indian dance with indie rock!
Next month, Reena will be on the road promoting Sita Sings The Blues , a 2008 animated feature film narrated by three hilarious shadow puppets and set to the 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. Both ancient tragedy and modern comedy, this film beautifully interprets the Indian epic Ramayana. Sita is written, directed, produced and animated entirely by American artist Nina Paley . Nina Paley is a self-taught comic strip artist who got into filmmaking. Paley spent five years making Sita on her home computer! Reena is the voice behind Sita.
I am a huge fan of Reena and I hope she will continue to soar. Please check out her site www.dancingreena.com and be inspired by all her amazing accomplishments.
P.S. Support local cinema and independent films!
Photos courtesy of Reena Shah’s website
