Persepolis

Its good to see animated movies that aren't made for kids. This along with "Waltz With Bashir" show the flexibility of the medium to do basically anything that's needed. Since this is taken directly from the graphic novel of the same name it just makes sense to do it as an animated feature.

Even for being very simply drawn, at least on first glance, it is very dense with prolific imagery that is beautiful, stark or even a few moments a little alarming. Its the story of a young rebellious girl growing up in Iran, when their revolution fails and the new regime takes over she becomes to dangerous to keep in the country. The way she talks she will end up in prison, or worse, hanged. So her parents send her to Vienna for school. She has to deal with lazy and judgmental Europeans who either think she is a novelty, or distrust and dislike her since she is Iranian. She returns to Iran, and eventually has to leave again for Paris, which is where we leave off.

It did seem like an abrupt ending for sure, and I read some reviews saying that. But I disagree, the film to me was a love letter to the people of Iran, and a slap in the face to the government. So when she leaves the letter ends, her life in Paris I'm sure is very interesting, but this is about the place that made her into who she is today. Its a true story, and the writing is excellent, she captures all to well, what its like to be a child, and how influenced you can be by all these intermingling factors. The writer, who also is who the film is about, Marjane Satrapi, also co-directed it, and does a fantastic job. She very firmly understands how to tell a story.

The animation is great, and the voice work as well. It reminded me in many ways of "Maus" which is another graphic novel, this one being about surviving Auschwitz, another true story. The two works look very similar, and it works great for both. I would recommend anyone to watch this, to me the fact that it shows Iranians as real people, and gives them a face reminds you that they aren't all like Ahmadinejad. 8/10 stars.

Directors: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Parounnaud

Starring: Chiara Masroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian