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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Animation | Biography | Drama | War

---

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, 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

Iran's government sent a letter to the French embassy in Tehran to protest against the movie and pressured the organizers of the 2007 Bangkok Film Festival to drop it from the lineup.

---

Goofs

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

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Bucket List/The Orphanage/The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep/There Will Be Blood/Honeydripper/Persepolis (2008)

---

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.