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 Iran

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, Kennedy/Marshall Company, The

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

The title, "Persepolis," means "Persian City" in Greek. The word is the Greek transliteration of the Old Persian word "Parsa" ("City of Persians"). Parsa, or Persepolis, was an actual ancient city that existed in Persia c. 550-330 BC. Its ruins still stand in southern Iran today.

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Goofs

Marjane's passport has her given name and surname switched.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Favorite Comic Book & Graphic Novel Films (2012)

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Soundtracks

Eye of the Tiger
Written by Jim Peterik (as James Peterik), Frankie Sullivan (as Franck Sullivan III)
(c) Three Wise Boys Music / Ensign Music Corp c/o BMG Music Publishing France
(c) WB Music Corp / Easy Action Music
By permission from Warner Chappell Music France and BMG Music Vision
Performed by Chiara Mastroianni
Arranged by Olivier Bernet

User Reviews

A very personal yet universal account of the Iranian revolution

I came out of this movie feeling as if I knew Marjane Satrapi. The way in which the story is told is fantastic - it really is as if you're reading her journal. As she grows up from being a young girl to an adult, at each age the story is told with a corresponding maturity, and highlighting things which seem like very personal memories. As a young girl, the stories she is told are very black and white, and as she gets older the complexity increases, which is exactly what you would expect. Although there is lots of political activity, she makes fun of herself and highlights her own shortcomings as much as she highlights the repressive elements in her homeland. By telling of her own experiences it really is extremely easy to see how so much of it is common to a whole generation of Iranians. Her love of her family and her country came across very strongly, and you really felt as if she had laid herself bare. A moving and entertaining movie as much as it is educational about post-1979 Iran.