Persepolis

Persepolis is a brilliantly constructed and beautifully animated film about a young girl growing up in Tehran during the Islamic revolution. Based on an autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, her story is a sad one: of a young woman who cannot feel at home in an increasingly oppressive state (who digs punk rock and heavy metal and can't stand conformity) but feels out of place anywhere else. At the same time, the author is clever and self-aware and never lets the story sink to the level of self-pity -- and doesn't shy away from self-criticism.

The animation is unlike anything you are likely to have seen. It matches the expressive simplicity of the graphic novels -- but has a vitality and wit that is uniquely cinematic. It is another reminder that the possibilities of creative storytelling with animation are far from exhausted by the more mainstream approaches of Disney and Dreamworks, or even the wide ranging styles of Japanese Anime.

One of the most touching elements of the story is its tribute to the strength and support of her parents. While sometimes they are exasperated by her behavior they are never less than supportive. Her grandmother, who understands her best, encourages her to hold on to her passion and spunk, but be wise in its expression. A delightful and exciting work -- that is timely in its reminder that our perception of life in other countries should not be dictated exclusively by the stories that appear in the mainstream media. This story, also, does not pretend to capture everything there is to know about Iran -- since it is merely the perspective of one young woman, but a perceptive and intelligent and thoughtful perspective. Highly recommended.

This is an animated film based on a true story of a young woman growing up in post-Shah Iran. It is absolutely brilliantly done--the story, the animation, everything. There is bonus material on the DVD where the author can be seen making the movie and telling some back stories about her life.

It is emotionally powerful as it desribes how she does not fit into society--neither her own in Iran, nor anywhere in Europe where she is sent to live and go to school for her own safety. The political situation in Iran is clearly described and we get a real sense of what it must have been like to live in that society. We see innocent people murdered on whims, others hiding their social lives, and all doing their best to survive various religious regimes.

The author's own personal struggle is heart breaking and it is wonderful to know that she eventually found direction in her life, culminating in her success in creating this movie. Very deserving of the Oscar.

When the story begins Marjane is ten year old. Just when the Shah is defeated and it seems some freedom may be restored to Iran a fundamental Islamic group comes to power and dashes all hope. So the viewer learns to navigate such dodgy waters as Marjane does, including what it means to be female under such a smothering regime, how one comes to terms with her own feelings of hatred and frustration, and how to find a way to thrive when everything around you opposes it.

Try as she might, Marjane just can't keep her rebellious self under wraps and her parents feel it's best to send her to Europe to be educated. Meeting a very different kind of adversity there, Marjane comes to see just what freedoms she has missed out on and how western culture doesn't even know how blessed it is. Upon returning to Iran as a young adult Marjane falls into a deep depression, leading to a rocky marriage and sad realization that while she genuinely loves her homeland she knows she will never prosper there.

Based on the autobiographical graphical novel of the same name, Persepolis is brilliantly done. Written and directed by Marjane Satrapi, herself, the coming-of-age story allows us to grow and develop with the young heroine, to feel frankly the hurt of a child's dreams not realized in the adult's life. The stark and contrasting black and white animation is evocative and powerful, no doubt a mirror to having grown up in a place that as much creates open space for growth it also embodies the restricting darkness that inhibits it. All told this film isn't bleak or heavy in political preaching. It gives insightful commentary on how cultural change affects every facet of life and offers inspirational footing for how to greet it with integrity.

Perspolis was a very fun and entertaining movie.They tackled a sensitive subject without making it too dreary.I would recommend this movie for adults and teens only.

Persian culture boasts a glorious history that stretches back three thousand years, but the last thirty years have not been kind. This award-winning animated film is partly a historical review of the political revolution that overthrew the secular-minded Shah in 1978-1979, the eight-year war with neighboring Iraq that followed about a year later and slaughtered a million people (1980-1988), and the religious extremism that filled the power vacuum along the way. In particular, the film follows the plight of a precocious and independent-minded little girl named Marjane and her extended family, and how all this upheaval impacted them. At this level Persepolis is a powerful story about personal identity, cultural consciousness, difficult choices, and historical fate. The film was written and directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, and based on the two best-selling graphic novels by Satrapi. In French with English subtitles.