Persepolis
- Release Date
- June 27, 2007
- Director
- Vincent Paronnaud , Marjane Satrapi
- Cast
- Chiara Mastroianni , Catherine Deneuve , Danielle Darrieux , Simon Abkarian , Gabrielle Lopes Benites , François Jerosme
- Runtime
- 95
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Writers
- Marjane Satrapi , Vincent Paronnaud
Summary
"Persepolis" is the poignant story of a young girl coming-of-age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of precocious and outspoken nine-year-old Marjane that we see a people's hopes dashed as fundamentalists take power - forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. Clever and fearless, she outsmarts the "social guardians" and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden. Yet when her uncle is senselessly executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable. As she gets older, Marjane's boldness causes her parents to worry over her continued safety. And so, at age fourteen, they make the difficult decision to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land, she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager. In addition, Marjane has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape. Over time, she gains acceptance, and even experiences love, but after high school she finds herself alone and horribly homesick. Though it means putting on the veil and living in a tyrannical society, Marjane decides to return to Iran to be close to her family. After a difficult period of adjustment, she enters art school and marries, all the while continuing to speak out against the hypocrisy she witnesses. At age 24, she realizes that while she is deeply Iranian, she cannot live in Iran. She then makes the heartbreaking decision to leave her homeland for France, optimistic about her future, shaped indelibly by her past.
latest
Best Movies About the Immigrant Experience, Ranked
Few movies really capture what makes the immigrant experience unique. Here are some of the best immigrant stories ever put to film.
Marjane Satrapi: From Graphic Novelist to Hollywood Director
From Persepolis to Radioactive, director Marjane Satrapi's storytelling captures the essence of strong women and politics.
Best Coming-of-Age Movies of the 2000s
Coming-of-age movies explore the nature of change and growing up. Here are some of the genre's best films of the 2000s.
Angry Birds Movie Lands Sean Penn as the Grunting Terence
Sean Penn's character Terence largely communicates through grunts in The Angry Birds Movie, in theaters May 20th.
The Voices Trailer: Ryan Reynolds Talks to Animals
Ryan Reynolds stars as an affable factory worker whose pets tell him to do evil things in the first trailer for The Voices
The Voices Starring Ryan Reynolds Lands at Lionsgate
Gemma Arterton and Anna Kendrick co-star in this comedic thriller about a man who is lead down a dangerous path by his talking cat and dog.
Ryan Reynolds Joins The Voices
Marjane Satrapi is directing this thriller about a factory worker who turns to his talking pets to help get him out of trouble.
The 2008 Academy Award Nominations!
Check out your full list of nominees for the 80th year Oscar ceremony.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Chiara Mastroianni and Marjane Satrapi Talk Persepolis
We go one-on-one with the actress and director of the new animated drama!
65th Annual Golden Globe Nominations!
Here's your complete list of nominees.
New York Film Critics Online 2007 Awards
The year's best from the big apple onliners.
Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced
Find out who got nominated for what.
Sean Penn and Iggy Pop Join Persepolis
The two will lend their voices to the cartoon.