Persepolis

Review by Sean Lynch

While the Americans continue to churn out depressing, self loathing anti-war films like Stop-Loss and Rendition which go on about how terrible their government treats the world and their own soldiers (well, if you don't like it - WHY VOTE THE SAME GOVERNMENT IN TWICE!!?), it is refreshing to see a film which tackles a depressing situation with beaming positivity and life.

Based on the bestselling graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis is the poignant and deeply personal story of a young Iranian girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution.

Seen through the eyes of an outspoken nine year old, this surprisingly funny animated classic serves up a coming-of-age epic as young Marjane lives through the fundamentalists taking power (forcing veils on women and imprisoning thousands), her uncle being senselessly executed and bombs falling around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war.

But at the heart of it all, this is a simple story about growing from a child into a woman.

Using simplistic, yet visually intoxicating, animation Persepolis succeeds in every department.

The problem which faces a film like this, and so many others which dare to tackle such dark narrative terrain, is that it could quite easily turn into a preachy depressing mess. But directors Vincent Paronnaud & Marjane Satrapi create an incomparable sense of positivity, passion and relatability.

This is the film all those "Let's Blow Them Terrorists Sky High" folks need to see, as it is the first film in a long, long time that actually humanises the supposed "enemy". Marjane is just like any teenage girl. Inquisitive, carefree, spunky, Marjene listens to ABBA and Iron Maiden, she wears sneakers to rebel, she likes boys, she has her heart broken.

She is like the rest of us.

A thoroughly enjoyable film which is insightful without being preachy, covers some unfamiliar territory (for most Westerners), empathetic, touching and most importantly - really funny.

Highly Recommended.

4 out of 5

Persepolis
Australian release: 21st August, 2008
Official Site: Persepolis
Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux
Director: Vincent Paronnaud & Marjane Satrapi