Rent Persepolis on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)
Directed by: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
A precocious and outspoken Iranian girl grows up during the Islamic Revolution.
Verdict
It's an engrossing story, and while I was concerned the animation would detract, it only enhances this biography. We see a child grow into adulthood amidst the turbulence of living in Iran. It's history and coming of age as Marjane's life changes amidst outside influences. As a child she can't even fully comprehend what's happening. The story is about her growing up as much as it's about her changing relationship with Iran and what it means to be from that country.
Watch It.
Review
The title is a reference to the ancient capital city of Persia, an ancient city with a revered history in contrast to Iran's negative image after revolution as fundamentalists.
Marjane (Chiara Mastroianni) is this precocious child, not fully away of what's happening. She tells her parents the Shah, Iran's ruler, was appointed by God as that's what her teacher told her. Marjane's parents counter that he wasn't appointed, he's just a dictator. Both her grandfather and uncle were imprisoned by the Shah for their beliefs.
Her uncle reveals stories of his imprisonment and torture. He's not the only one. Marjane and her classmates don't fully understand what that means. They play a game in the schoolyard, stating the loser will be tortured to death. They just don't understand the ramifications of that statement or the world in which they live. They're breaking it down to what they understand which in no way captures the gravity of the what's happening.
Her parents wonder if they need to leave the country as elections lead to someone even more strict. The situation is a lot for an adult and beyond the comprehension of a child. Marjane's uncle is arrested again, and she has to figure out why. Why would God allow that?
As a teen Marjane is into western music and culture. She's criticized for it in this repressive regime. It's never directly addressed, but we hear bomb sirens and see empty shelves. People are aggressive to each other, fighting over food. Marjane and her family hide in the basement at night due to bombing. When Marjane questions a teacher's lies, she's expelled. Her parents send her to France for her protection
This is such simple animation that you almost forget the style due to the strength of the story. It captures the childlike wonder of the world, as desolate as it is with the events happening. Imagine living through wars, bombings, and persecutions. Marjane is sent to Europe for her safety, but it's emotional for everyone in the family when she departs.
The movie is Marjane's relationship to Iran. It's a country that's taken her family members and persecuted her family. She's lied about where she's from, wanting to avoid the complications that being from Iran presents. Towards the end she states directly she's from Iran. Despite the ups and downs of the country and her changing relationship to it, that's still her home.
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