ElMaruecan82 Marjane Satrapi's animated biopic deliver a powerful message to the world about the struggles of Iranian people, which can be extended to any people from what the "western civilization" pompously designate as "third world" country... and it does so with a movie that hit a more universal chord than any Farhadi's masterpiece simply by using the animation as a medium.Yes, it doesn't have the whole tech-zaz-wow-schaboom of Dreamworks or Pixar, or the delicacy and poetic imagery of Miyazaki (or does it?), yes, it's all in Black and White and drawings that can't fool you with their simplicity... but behind that sober and gloomy façade, you go through dynamite of emotions, of humors and tears, and you end up realizing deep in your head "hey, these Iranian people aren't so different from us, after all". Well maybe Donald and Bibi should watch this film before deciding some day to nuke Persepolis out of the map.As a matter of fact, the film doesn't even imply that the Revolution brought anything good to Iran giving how hellish and liberticidal the post-Revolution Iran turned out to be... but the film isn't about a regime. it's about the people who lived under the tyrannical end of the stick and had threats of whipping, jailing, hanging or raping-before-hanging pending over their head if they had one 'obscene' glimpse too many, one breath of alcohol, too much hair unveiled or too much lipstick. And if you count the the arrests, the repressions and the infamous war with Irak and the rest, there's no family that didn't probably paid a dowry to that revolution in the name of some fanatic reading of religion... there's no right to point an accusing finger of these population... especially since the movie reminds of the role the British played in the throning of the first Shah and the way the "West" provided weapons to both Iran and Iraq during the war, some details that movies like "Not Without My Daughter" forgot to cover. So I guess the merit of this adaptation of Marjane Satrapi's graphic comic-book, is to expose to the world the torments a whole population went through, by focusing on little Marjane, a young girl who like any other girl in the world loved to wear sneakers, imitate her idols, listen to music and change the world, a girl who was all smile and joy, craving from models to admire, to be able to say that she's related to a hero of the revolution when it was announcing a new era. There's something in the initial scenes that reminded me of "The Pianist" when you looked at crucial events from the perspective of a family. Yes, they're obviously from an upper class, westernized and open-minded, even the scene-stealing grandmother is feisty and has a few juicy lines that reveal that she cares more about the perfume of her brassiere than any sanctimonious, but the point is that there are aspects of the western culture that are indeed universally appealing in the sense that people would rather have fun and enjoy an access to knowledge, art and music than just drown in the darkest abysses of religious fanaticism... except if they come from average classes or aren't instructed enough to know what they miss. Like the majority actually.And just when you think little Marjie would fit like a fish in the water in Austria, where she's sent at the age of 14, the film goes for a huger cultural clash, so mind-boggling it might even make a Westerner consider what kind of values he inherited from his own history. While Iranians fought for freedom and democracy and had all these aspects of civilization being smuggled like drugs ... blasé Austrian youth take these aspects as cultural items that hardly hide the superficiality of a world that's not even worth fighting for, anarchists group spend their day smoking joints and basically, everyone acts as a spoiled child of democracy.The gap is too huge for Marjie who, after a few romantic failures, decide to go back to Iran, she's an adult then and misses her family. but the situation has worsened to surrealistic extents and... she even came close to a suicide. All this looks rather gloomy and poignant, but the film is full of inspirational energy, of moments of humor from Tex Avery-like slapstick to ingenuous storytelling, and when you look at Marjane Satrapi in real-life, you see the same woman who probably inherited her grandmother's spirit, tobacco addiction... and desire of freedom.I don't know what feminism means but if anyone tells me "women shouldn't do or be allowed to do this" then count me in. The film is full of moments where Marjie or her mother puts one of these bearded moral guardians in their place, where they confront the laws to their contradictions and their double standards, a few mini-triumphs that can't hide the fact that the best option is to get the hell out and be free. Indeed, "Persepolis" is an exhilaration of freedom, the real one, that you can taste after having lived under restrictions, no one born free can understand.And that's why the world needs foreign cinema, Hollywood can't grasp some things. It can win Oscars though with "Ratatouille" getting it for Best Animated Feature, but the most important thing is that you have a story that can speak to each of us. Marjie doesn't have any power or any fighting skills, but the way she gets through her predicaments is powerful enough to count her as a modern-day heroine and an inspiration to the world (especially in the "Eye of Tiger" scene), as she said: "The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same..." What can you say after that?

negatively-positive-girl A style so simplistic, yet all characters are able to be identified. Carrying a story with twists and turns, as any life does, this story makes me feel like I could be her, but I also wish to meet her. Liked it.

brchthethird While animation is an art form primarily associated with children's entertainment, there are more than a few animated films which deal with more mature themes and are geared towards an older audience. PERSEPOLIS is one such film. Co-directed by Marjane Satrapi, who based this on her experiences as a young girl growing up in Iran, it tells a story about the struggle to find one's identity in a rapidly changing world. In Marjane's case, her formative years took place amid the chaotic years of the Islamic Revolution when the US-backed Shah was overthrown by populist revolt and an Islamic Republic established in its place. Even though communist revolutionaries, such as her uncle, were imprisoned under the Shah's rules, the Islamic Republic that replaced it was in some ways even more repressive. As a way of escaping this, Marjane is sent off to a French school in Vienna but she eventually comes back to her family after bad experiences leave her alone and almost destitute. Yet, the Iran she returns to is even more different than the one she grew up in and left before. Ultimately, this is a simultaneously complex and simple look at Iranian life through the eyes of a young woman. It's complex in the sense that Marjane has conflicted feelings about the country of her ancestors, yet simple because it is presented through the eyes of someone who has yet to find themselves. This film is based on a graphic novel, and the mostly black-and-white animation style reproduces this look faithfully while also adding a sense of childlike wonder. It was a simple, yet beautiful, way to tell an important story. I hesitate to say that Marjane's story is representative of all Iranians' experience, yet it is valuable precisely because it is a personal experience. The story of her life growing up is tragic and hopeful, sad and yet still not without humor. This roller-coaster of emotions and unique look at an oft misunderstood culture are the film's strongest selling points, aside from the top-notch animation and score. For viewers looking to expand their horizons a bit, PERSEPOLIS has everything you could possibly want from a great film: action, romance, tragedy, humor, etc. It has it all, and most importantly it provides unique cultural insight. Highly recommended.

allenc-reese This was one of the worst movies I've ever had the misfortune to sit through. There was no plot, no joy - but relentless misery, and a hit-you-over-the-head message landing with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, over and over and over again. I liked the artwork, thought the start boded well, and settled in to a meandering tale. If the idea was to push the viewer to want to play in traffic, then it was a success. The main character was completely unsympathetic despite the horrific things that happened to her and her family. This is a film made about a terrible time and injustice done to millions. Don't think I'm unsympathetic to any of that. Just please don't make anyone watch this movie to get the point.