Persepolis (2007)

Poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution.

Directors:

Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi

Writers:

Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)

Stars:

Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 20 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Chiara Mastroianni	...	Marjane 'Marji' Satrapi, as a teenager and a woman (voice)
Catherine Deneuve	...	Mrs. Satrapi - Marjane's mother (voice)
Danielle Darrieux	...	Marjane's grandmother (voice)
Simon Abkarian	...	Mr. Satrapi - Marjane's father (voice)
Gabrielle Lopes Benites	...	Marjane as a child (voice)
François Jerosme	...	Uncle Anouche (voice)
Sophie Arthuys	...	(voice)
Arié Elmaleh	...	(voice)
Mathias Mlekuz	...	(voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Amethyste Frezignac	...	Marjane as a child (voice)
Lexie Kendrick	...	(voice)
Tilly Mandelbrot	...	Lali (voice)
Sean Penn	...	Mr. Satrapi - Marjane's father (voice)
Iggy Pop	...	Uncle Anouche (voice)
Gena Rowlands	...	Marjane's grandmother (voice)

Storyline

In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.

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Plot Keywords:

revolution | iran | coming of age | 1970s | iranian revolution | 

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Genres:

Animation | Biography | Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content

Details

Official Sites:

Official MySpace [fr] Official site [es]

Country:

France USA

Language:

French English Persian German

Release Date:

27 June 2007 (France)

Also Known As:

Persépolis

Box Office

Budget:

$7,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£158,867 (UK) (25 April 2008)

Gross:

£778,834 (UK) (30 May 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

2.4.7. Films, France 3 Cinéma, Kennedy/Marshall Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 89 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

France's official submission for the Best Foreign-Language Film category at The 80th Annual Academy Awards.

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Goofs

The departures board at Paris Orly at the beginning has Cincinnati misspelled as "Cincinatti".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Airport receptionist: Ticket and passport, please.

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Connections

Featured in The Orange British Academy Film Awards (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Roses du Sud"
(Rosen aus dem Süden, op. 388)
Composed by Johann Strauß (as Johann Strauss)
Arranged by Olivier Bernet

User Reviews

the book is a fuller experience

I rated this film a 9 more as a visual complement to the comic book (of two volumes, now bound as one), which I believe to be a masterpiece. If you left the film less than emotionally attached to the characters, PLEASE give the book a chance, because, as is often the case, episodes and histories of a lot of the characters, including Marjane, are left out to adapt the story to a film medium. Having said that, there are great sequences, expressionistic animation, and the wiseass grandma is left fully intact from the books! I can understand why some people weren't emotionally compelled by it though, since the movie doesn't take the time to fill the audience in on all the quirkiness and endearing qualities of the characters as Satrapi originally conceived them.