Video/DVD Review: Persepolis
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that although this film -- an
adaptation of graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi's critically
acclaimed memoir about growing up in Iran during the Islamic
Revolution -- is animated, it's aimed at adults. There are many
references to the atrocities (mostly executions and bombings)
of life before, during, and after the revolution. Several
scenes involve secret parties during which secular Iranians
drink and smoke; as a teenager living in Europe, Marjane also
drinks, smokes, tries hash, and sleeps with two guys (at one
point, feeling suicidal, she also takes lots of pills). If
teens are interested, they'll learn a lot about the harsh
realities of life in an oppressive culture. It's worth noting
that there are two versions of the film: The original is in
French with subtitles; the other is dubbed in English.
Families can talk about how "the West" is portrayed in the
film. Why is American pop culture banned in Iran? What makes it
threatening? How is Marjane's family different? How does
Marjane "betray" her heritage once she's abroad? What did you
learn about Iranian history and culture from the film? Do you
think that animation was an effective way to tell Marjane's
story? How would it have been different if it was live
action?
Based on writer-director Marjane Satrapi's award-winning graphic novel, PERSEPOLIS closely follows her life as she comes of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Narrated by Chiara Mastroianni as the adult Marjane, the alternatingly funny and heartbreaking story chronicles how Marjane's immediate family kept their ideals under increasingly oppressive regimes.
Like Art Spiegelman's seminal Holocaust-themed graphic novel Maus, Persepolis explains history from the point of view of one family, and in particular, Marjane herself -- from grade-schooler to young adult. The secular, educated Satrapis survive as loved ones are imprisoned, tortured, and executed -- first under the Shah and later under the Islamic revolutionaries. Throughout the years, Marjane is drawn to Western popular culture from Bruce Lee and Bee Gees to Iron Maiden and the Rocky III anthem "Eye of the Tiger" -- even though it's forbidden to own any unapproved books or music.
Marjane's grounding force is her rebellious grandma (voiced by Danielle Darrieux), who makes the girl promise not to lose sight of her family's progressive beliefs and the reasons why her beloved uncle and countless others have died. But sometimes Marjane can't help acting tad immature -- even reckless. That's what makes the film so touching: Amid cultural repression, Marjane, her family, and their close friends still manage to find small ways to subvert authority. And thanks to the regular doses of adolescent humor, this distinctly Iranian tale becomes a universal story anyone can appreciate.
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