Persopolis

(DVD). 2007. Sony Pictures Classics. Written and directed by Marjane Satraphi and Vincent Paronnaud. Starring Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, and Danielle Darrieux. PG-13. 96 minutes.

Plot Summary: Adapted from the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name, Persopilis is a French film starkly and simplistically animated in black and white. It is the coming of age story of a young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic revolution, as seen from the viewpoint of the girl as she grows up. At first hopeful when the regime of the Shah ends, Marjane’s family is disappointed as the Islamic revolution unfolds and freedoms are restricted. Marjane is dangerously outspoken, bold and has interests in Western culture. Worried about her fate in religiously restrictive Iran, her family sends her to live in Austria. She slowly adjusts and even makes friends in Austria but they are superficial friendships and she never feels truly like she belongs. She returns to Iran after high school and the viewer sees how life, especially for women, is restricted. Marjane falls in love and marries, but her marriage is not a success. The viewer sees through her eyes the frustrations and dangers of living in the Islamic society of Iran. Marjane comes to realize that she must leave Iran permanently, even if it means leaving her family forever.

Critical Evaluation: Persepolis is unsentimental and honest, and at times humorous. Through Marjane’s eyes the viewers are given a brief overview of the 20th century history of Iran. The story is very compelling, despite the crudity of the animation. The first part of the film where Marjane is still a child is, I think, more compelling than the depiction of her young adult life. However, there is much in Marjane’s teen and young adult life that teen viewers can relate to: problems of friendship, boyfriends, love and depression. Marjane is a compelling heroine. Her life as an immigrant may also be particularly compelling to teens who are also immigrants.

Reader’s Annotation: Marjane just wants to be an ordinary kid, but life in Iran reins her in more and more tightly. Can she survive in an increasingly repressive society?

About the author: Marjane Satrapi was born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran and grew up in Tehran. She grew up in a family active in the communist and socialist movements in Iran, which played a part in her childhood experiences (as chronicled in Persepolis). At age 14 her family sent her to Vienna, Austria because they worried about her being labeled a dissident. In Vienna, she studied at the Lycee Francais de Vienne. In Vienna, she moved from one friend’s house to another until she essentially became homeless. After becoming severely ill with pneumonia, Satrapi returned to her family in Iran.

After her return to Iran, Satrapi suffered through bouts of depression but eventually returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in Visual Communication from the University of Tehran. She again left Iran for political reasons and currently lives in Paris, where she works as an illustrator and children’s writer. She is the author of several children’s books including Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, Embroideries, Monsters are Afraid of the Moon and Chicken with Plums.

Genre: Animated film, autobiography, war

Curriculum ties: Social studies; history of the Middle East.

Booktalking Ideas: Marjane just wanted to be an ordinary child—she liked Bruce Lee movies and punk rock. But as Iran changed, her options became fewer and fewer. What would it be like to live in a society where you must keep yourself covered, renounce anything Western, and always defer to men? And what would it be like to leave your family and country to move to a foreign country at the age of 14?

Interest/Age Level: The film is rated PG-13. Since much of the story is about Marjane’s teen life, I think the film would be of minimal interest to those under age 13.

Challenge Issues: There is a minimal amount of obscene language in the film.

Why included: I found this film listed in the YALSA list of best films for teens. I was further intrigued that it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film and won a Jury prize at the Cannes film festival.