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Usually most animations are fun, touching, and some are profound. It’s rare to find an animated film that touches one’s heartstrings on a deep and disturbing level. But this film did just that for me. I have a friend who came here to America when he was 17-years-old. He used to live in Tehran. I literally had no idea what he had lived through, and seeing Persepolis gave me a real appreciation for the freedoms I take for granted here in America.

Persepolis is about a young girl named Marjane who grew up during the Islamic revolution. She idolized her uncle who was a revolutionary hero and who was killed senselessly while imprisoned. Being the outspoken little girl that she was, her parents felt they needed to protect her by sending her away to another country. Women’s privileges and rights were taken away, and it proved to be too much for Marjane, a young teenager to handle–she simply could not keep her opinions to her herself, and those opinions kept getting her into trouble. She was promptly shipped off to a foreign country to complete her education. Through a series of disappointments, failed romances, and the constant reminder that she was in a foreign land, she yearned to return home to her family. At 21 Marjane did return to Iran, had a failed marriage, and finally decided to moved to America.

Persepolis is a very well-done black and white animated film with the occasional color for effect. Its style, very reminiscent of The Little Prince, is simplistic, but the facial expressions are indeed truer to life than any animation I’d ever seen. The writing on this film is clever, witty, and was successful in telling the story through the eyes of a precocious child. There were funny moments, sad moments, disgusting moments, alarming moments, and several moments of sheer disbelief. Just the idea that people could be so senseless … Marjane’s character was enhanced by her grandmother, who consistently dolled out profound advice and seemed to be the only person who could keep her in line.

I experienced Persepolis’s true authenticity by watching it in French and reading the subtitles. It deserved its 2008 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Animated Film. Renting this dvd will make you thank your lucky stars that you reside in a free country.

Staff Writer

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