Persepolis

Satarpi, Marjane and Vincent Paronnaud (Director). Persepolis. DVD. Sony, 2007. Running time 95 min.

Plot Summary
Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian living in Paris. As the movie begins, she is in an airport, and she remembers her life as a journey between two worlds. Marjane grew up in Tehran, coming of age during the Iranian Revolution. At first, her family is excited by the overthrow of the king, especially since Marjane's uncle Anoosh is released from prison. Unfortunately, Anoosh is soon arrested by the new government, and eventually executed for refusing to denounce communism. At home, family life goes on, with Marjane and her mother wearing hajib when they go out, but living a more western life at home. At one point, Marjane's mother even gives Marjane money so that she can buy Iron Maiden cassettes from a bootlegger. As the Iran-Iraq war continued, Marjane's parents decide to send her to Vienna for school. In Vienna, Marjane feels liberated, but also persecuted. She meets boys, but has her heart broken. Marjane returns to her home country and marries, despite her mother's worries. Alas, the marriage doesn't work so Marjane moves to Paris, which is where she is when the story begins.

Critical evaluation
Persepolis is an autobiographical work, based on a graphic novel of the same name. The animation is a combination of still backgrounds with moving characters that mimics the graphic novel. Marjane's memories, which make up most of the movie, are in black and white. The story is honest, showing Marjane's mistakes in addition to the societal problems. While the focus of the tale is Marjane and her family, the historical backdrop makes Persepolis more than just a coming of age story.

Readers Annotations
Marjane's doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. At home, in Iran, she must watch how she looks, and what she says. She can't be caught buying punk music, or drinking alcohol. But when goes to school in Vienna, she doesn't fit in there either. Back and forth, back and forth, Marjane fittingly tells her life story from an airport.

Information About the Author
Marjane Satrapi was born in Iran and was educated in Iran and Europe. She currently lives in Paris where she writes graphic novels and children's books. Persepolis is her autobiography.

Genre
Autobiography

Curriculum Ties
Iranian Revolution, Iran-Iraq War

Booktalking Ideas
The contrast between Marjane's permissive parents, and the rules she must follow when she's away from hom


Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Possible complaints are mainly political. The Iranian government has tried to stop the showing of this movie. Other possible objections are to the depiction of pre-marital sex (mostly alluded to) and the smoking of hashish in Vienna.

Defense of Persepolis
ALA's 2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults
2007 Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Film
2007 Jury Prize Cannes Film Festival

Why Film Included
 One of ALA's Fabulous Films for Young Adults