Persepolis

By Thinh Vu | VOX Staff

Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics

A coming-of-age story set during the Iranian Revolution, “Persepolis” is a unique animated film enveloped in humor, action and drama. The 2007 Oscar-nominated movie is based on a French autobiographical novel series by Marjane Satrapi. It indulges us with an enriching experience of the Persian culture as Iran transforms from a peaceful country to a war-torn nation that forces Islamic law on its people.

When the movie starts, Marjane is a young, adventurous girl—the perfect child who believes in God and pays respect to her elders. As the Iranian Revolution begins, Marjane’s family faces many tragedies, such as the murder of a family member by the revolutionists. With this tragic event, Marjane finds herself losing faith in God. In order to avoid more problems, Marjane’s parents send her to France to escape the war.

Marjane grows up in France experiencing a culture completely different from her own. As a teenager, she is tempted by love, drugs and alcohol. She becomes promiscuous and loses part of her culture and morality. (While the film is unrated, it contains, sex, violence and profanity.)

After the Iranian Revolution, Marjane returns to her country but finds herself a stranger in her own land. She goes from experiencing the freedom of a European life to being restricted by the new Iranian regime, which causes her to take the values of her culture for granted.

Watch the movie to see if Marjane embraces her culture and customs again.