Persepolis (2007)

A precocious and outspoken Iranian girl grows up during the Islamic Revolution.

Directors:

Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi

Writers:

Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)

Stars:

Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 28 wins & 54 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Chiara Mastroianni	...	Marjane (voice)
Danielle Darrieux	...	Grandma (voice)
Catherine Deneuve	...	Mom (voice)
Simon Abkarian	...	Dad (voice)
Gabrielle Lopes Benites	...	Marji (voice)
François Jerosme	...	Anoush (voice)
Tilly Mandelbrot	...	Lali (voice)
Sophie Arthuys	...	Walla (voice)
Arié Elmaleh	...	Walla (voice)
Mathias Mlekuz	...	Walla (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lexie Kendrick	...	Friend / Gossip / Teacher (2008) (voice)
Sean Penn	...	Mr. Satrapi - Marjane's Father (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:

iran | iranian revolution | 1970s | f rated | based on comic book | 

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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 [France] Official site [Spain]

Country:

France USA

Language:

French English Persian German

Release Date:

22 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Persépolis

Box Office

Budget:

$7,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

€1,402,949 (France), 1 July 2007, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,118, 23 December 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$4,443,403, 18 May 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 89 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

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 (2008).

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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

One of the best films of 2007

This is a marvelous film. The voice actors in French are superb; I'm not sure whether it will translate in an English dub. The animation is charming; you forget that it's mostly black and white, and remember only how beautiful it is. It is both bleak and hilarious, chilling and human. The "Eye Of The Tiger" scene is awesome for being so amateurishly sung in heavily accented English and only just in key. I learned a great deal about modern Iranian history, and relived a great deal of childhood and adolescence (albeit not in a sophomoric way).

I saw it at a free screening with about 6 other people before it was released, but I will be paying to see it again and dragging as many people as I can to see it with me. If you're reading this, I'd drag you to see it, too. It's a GREAT film, one that deserves all the awards it can garner, and not just as an animated film, but as a brilliant movie that just happens to be animated.