Marjane outwits two guardians of the revolution who are harassing her for dressing like a punk.

By Bob Polunsky
Movie Critic

“Persepolis” is the name of an ancient Persian city that no longer exists. Ancient Persia is now modern day Iran, a land of contrasts and unrest among people with different interests and different objectives in their lives.

That’s the setting for a unique animated film about a proud Iranian girl trying to make sense out of the changes in her country after Islamic fundamentalists take over. It’s a coming of age story told with empathy and stated with simplicity. Events that take place in modern day Iran are photographed in color.
Events that reveal the past histories of the characters are photographed in black and white tones. Most of the film focuses on the heroine, Marjane (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni), as she reflects on her country and her life.

She learns how to cope with life’s problems from her no-nonsense grandmother (voiced by Danielle Darrieux), a proud woman who teaches Marjane to be confident and fair in her dealings with people, most especially to herself. Marjane also gets good advice about daily living from her mother (voiced by Catherine Deneuve). The familiar voices of the seasoned actresses add credibility to the story as they bring their strong characters to life. They make ideal teachers as well as good role models for Marjane by teaching her to always be honest with herself first. Being honest with others will automatically follow.

Marjand witnesses unfair treatment when she walks through the streets and associates with girls her own age. They confuse her because they don’t always follow the same behavior patterns that her mother and grandmother taught her. She realizes that the patterns of behavior they taught her have lasting value because they have already lasted long already for the women she consider her idols.

When things in her country get out of control, Marjane’s parents send her to Austria where she observes Europeans coping with life’s problems. She watches and learns from them, gradually fitting herself into the teenaged youth circles where rock music defines their moods and behavior patterns.

She becomes a typically frustrated teenager in Austria, and feels depressed and repressed. She misses her home and family, especially her mother and grandmother who instilled values that are still important to her. Going back to her homeland becomes her primary goal, and the film brings out her anguish without dwelling on feelings of self-pity that usually accompany a young girl’s agony during her formative years.

The somber black and white animation gives “Persepolis” a mature look. This isn’t a children’s film, but it’s about a child growing up and learning to cope with the uncertainties of life in her homeland. It’s a bird’s eye view of things hinted in newscasts and newspapers, and we get to see them through youthful eyes.
The Iranian government has already complained about the way Iranian culture is pictured, but that hasn’t stopped “Persepolis” from circulating around the globe, gaining admirers and awards in foreign countries.
Contrary to the Iranian government’s perception, “Persepolis” isn’t a hostile look at their country.
Marjane’s presence alone reminds us that people can still think for themselves while living in Iran.

The animation technique gives the film a distinctively artistic look. Exaggerated cartoon images of Iranians in native dress make some characters look alike because of their mode of dress. Those who judge things differently have a different style of dress.

Marjanek, her mother and her grandmother have the same feelings, emotions and ideas that many people in Iran as well as in other countries have. Realizing this gives the audience a reason to bond with Marjane and her family. Watching them interact is like reading a graphic novel with cartoon-like images, and that’s exactly what “Persepolis” is. It was originally a graphic novel by Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi, and she apparently had a firm image of her characters in mind. Ms Satrapi also directed the film version, and her vision rings true. These are, indeed, real people described in exaggerated cartoon images that bring them to life to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Their cartoon images communicate those thoughts and feelings as loudly as a live action movie would, thereby turning a one-dimensional animated movie into a three dimensional observation of a girl growing into a mature woman.

Studio rating: PG-13
Bob says: “Pure poetry in motion”
3 Stars