Monday, May 10, 2010

Mini Reviews - Persepolis

Persepolis

Persepolis movie poster

Marjane is precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl who was nine years old during the Islamic Revolution when the fundamentalists first take power--forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. She cleverly outsmarts the "social guardians" and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden, while living with the terror of government persecution and the Iran/Iraq war. Then Marjane's journey moves on to Austria where, as a teenager, her parents send her to school in fear for her safety and, she has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape.


An intriguing and wistfully coming-of-age autobiographical tale of a girl growing up in war-torn social-provocative Iran, told with simple, yet beautiful animation. The film plays so innocently as Marjane, the girl finds her identity and views in Iran and outside of Iran. Marjane is a very interesting and layered character as being a girl raised in Iran where she is independent and clever and thinks beyond the religious aspects and standards. It may look dull on the outside, but it never is and the film is consistent in having a good flow of the story. Its a real witty and charming film and a must-see for animation lovers.

4 out of 5 stars

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