Persepolis
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Movie Reviews of Persepolis
Movie Review: Full of life -- a poignant story of growing up in Iran
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Animating the battlefield against evil
Summary: 5 Stars
Iran is still to these days in the focus of world wide attention. After Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appearance in Clumbia University last year, it seems that nothing has been changed since the Islamic revolution that took place in 1978. Iran is a fundamentalist country oppressing freedom of speech not to mention the thousands who were brutally emprisoned and executed since the fled of the Shah. Persepolis - the name of the ancient capital of Persia during the Achaemenid Empire in 550-330 BC.
Alluding to ancient Persia is of no coincidence; it meant to bring to the open the tragedy of the people of Iran whose freedom is constantly denied by treaturous leaders. The comic book, or to be exact - the graphic novel written by Marjane Satrapi focuses on her expirience as a child grown up in between two eras - the Shah and Komeini, and the means the new regime took to indoctrinate its fundemental islamic ideology. The film is based on Satrapi's book, carefully adheres to its style by using straightforward simple images mostly in black and white telling the story of Satrapi's life in Iran as a child and in Vienna after she fled from her country. Being an animated film, it is not an entertaining film suitable for children. It is a poignant film which takes us through the harsh times Satrapi and her family went through the dark days of 1978 telling the story of the Iranian nation at large.
Ben Baruch Blich, ph.d.
History and Theory dept.
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
Jerusalem
Movie Review: Some UK reviewers have criticized it, but ...
Summary: 5 Stars
Some UK reviewers have criticized Marjane for seemingly complaining that the Iranian regime tried to stop her and her associates from partying. I would not defend partying of this kind, but it is evident that these critical reviewers have not had the experience of living under a tyrannical regime. I would not wish it on anyone. To dissociate oneself from a pervasive and dominant foli à plusieurs is incredibly difficult and many people go insane in the attempt or commit suicide.
In fact this book and DVD is very helpful in understanding how many people inevitably react in a repressive, authoritarian regime when trying to maintain a personal integrity. If you squeeze a balloon in one place, it will splurge out in another - often in an unpalatable way. What amazes me is how dissidents manage to remain sane in authoritarian regimes of this nature. The author, and her family, should be commended for having done so. It also takes courage to produce an account of this sort.
I would unreservedly recommend "Persepolis", both in book form and in DVD format, despite the inevitable unpalatability of some of the content. It may be uncomfortable, but it should function a warning to us as to what could happen even in currently 'democratic' states unless we face reality now and stop engaging in denial.
Movie Review: A very accurate movie about the post revolution time in Iran
Summary: 5 Stars
Well.... As an Iranian woman (a bit younger than Marjan)I remember those days very well. It is a very accurate movie about that era. It brought me many sad memories from the time that Tehran was attacked by missiles. I was too young to remember the actual revolution and the street demonstrations and I have a very vague memory of the Shah's era, but I remember the war and the post war era. She draws a very accurate picture of the hidden parties in Iran, the alcohol consumptions in parties, the Islamic police, the secretive dates between boys and girls, the security guards in the airport etc..
The moral of the story is that Marjan had to immigrate from Iran for the second time (which was her last time) simply because she felt like a stranger in her motherland...She had to start her life all over again in another country. Iran was not her country any more... The same story happened to millions of Iranians who left Iran in some point after 1979 and now live in exile including myself.
This is a true story of the dreams that were shattered after the Islamic revolution...the families that were broken.... and the collapse of the most ancient civilizations on earth...It is the story of one of the biggest human tragedies in 20 century and the movie very cleverly shows that.
Movie Review: Pure Genius
Summary: 5 Stars
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.