Persepolis; An Endearing Eye-Opener

Persepolis is a film by Mariane

Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud. It

follows the life of a little girl named

Marji, growing up in Iran during the 70’s

and 80’s when Saddam came to power.

This film won the Jury Prize at the

Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and was an

Academy Award Nominee for Best

Animated Feature. Marji is a child who

is full of life and wonder. She is

fascinated by the Islamic Revolution. At

one humorous, but poignant, scene in the

movie she puts a bandana on and

marches around the living room

screaming “Down with the Shah!” Marji,

when the fundamentalists come to

power, seems to be more interested in

Iron Maiden and the fact that “Punk’s

Not Dead!” She consistently breaks the

regime’s rules but always manages a

way out of it. Her Uncle, who is killed

during one of the purges, seems to be the

main influence in her life. She is a bright

girl; full of compassion and Persepolis is

focused on her coming of age.

Persepolis, the word itself means

the ancient ceremonial capital of Persia.

Naming the movie and book this may be

the creators way of reaching back into

time when things weren’t so complicated

or bloody. Many times during the film,

there is a reference to blood soaking the

plains of Iran; sustaining them instead of

rain. This was during the purges of the

fundamentalist regime and it was

Saddam’s rhetoric. Many issues are

brought to light in Persepolis, like how

Tehran was before and during the

Islamic Revolution and then following

fundamentalist take over. I highly

suggest you attempt to watch this movie

in BluRay or High Definition, this really

adds to the superb graphics. The fact that

it is a “cartoon” should throw no one off.

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It is based on a graphic novel of the

same name, which it really holds true to.

The film is especially pertinent to today,

in a world where many people don’t

know or understand the history of Iran.

With the capture of Saddam and

subsequent hanging, this film sheds light

on his tyranny and the destruction he

caused. However, the film reminds us

that not all Iranians participated in that

tyranny. In fact, they were victims of it.

The humor is a great relief to

much of the extremely dark subject

matter, matter that is displayed in a very

nonchalant way. Marji’s character steals

the show, with her humor, innocence,

and life-experiences. We see the world

through her eyes. The film, at times, is

incredibly adult but keeps the innocence

of Marji in the forefront. It is a reminder

that children can be incredible teachers

for adults and everyone must remember

to keep their eyes open to all

possibilities, even in the worst situations.

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