Pure emotion. I teared up because of laughter, of joy, of sadness, of horror... One of those films that make me so glad to speak french. It works as a coming of age story but also as a document of those eventful years in Iran. It´s as ruthless with islamic society as it is with the west. It´s the best feminist claim I´ve ever seen and still manages to honor all the men who fought and died for freedom. It´s insightful, energetic, hilarious, intelligent, sensitive, it goes from one thing to the next full of vitality and awareness. Above all, it´s a natural, heartfelt and extremely honest story. I disapprove of anyone not glorifying this film.

Poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution.The graphic novel "Persepolis" was very widely read. In fact, a number of college courses required it. It is an excellent look at the difference between what people think of Iran and what being from Iran actually means for those who lived through the last generation.The film adds so much more with the music, the inflection, and just really getting a human quality that cannot be expressed fully on paper. The animation stays true to the original art, really bringing out its strengths. It made me wan to read the book again and learn more about the author's royal lineage!

I liked this animation, but mainly because of the visuals. Graphically it's very appealing and atmospheric. The black and white and the shadows really transmit the horror that it must be to experience unfreedom coming upon you, what it is to feel helpless and what religions can do to mankind.But, as others have stated, unfortunately the main character is not very likable. She doesn't come across as someone who is genuinely suffering, but more as a spoiled girl who suddenly cannot continue to live her happy-go-lucky life. Instead of finding a way out or doing something against it, she becomes embittered and that's it. That makes her very unsympathetic. Many important details are not explained, for example why she can leave the country, but her parents, who have money (and probably influence), remain there.10 stars for the visuals, 1 for the story, 5 for both.

If you want to see light at the horizon of the adult cartoon world, Iranian born Marjane Satrapi's animated autobiographical feature "Persepolis" should be one of your first stops. The daughter of a wealthy progressive family in Tehran, expatriate Satrapi recounts her coming-of-age tale, beginning with her childhood days growing up under the western orientated Shah, then witnessing revolution, the subsequent repression of the totalitarian regime, war, followed by her on-and-off escape from her homeland. Satrapi doesn't tell you what to think of her story, she just relays her confusing impressions as a young girl and the outlook on life that goes with it, all brought to the screen via the perfect medium for such a purpose: animation. The fascinating, primarily monochrome look adds realism and weight to the portrayed subject matter, counterbalanced with a lot of charm and humor working splendidly against the dire circumstances that abound. The animation approach also helps to maintain a strong bond with the protagonist through all the stages of the young developing life, formed partly by experiences caused by political turmoil, partly by disorientation as a human being - and due to the intense personal take on the events it stays believable, especially as Satrapi mainly shows aspects in her life to which Westerners can relate. "Persepolis" oscillates between a young kid's floating on clouds in admiration for idols like Bruce Lee and Michael Jackson, the harsh socio-political reality on the ground and the consequential estrangement from life, the universe and everything. And still, remarkably, this girl made her way.Satrapi would follow up her adventure into the movie world with "Chicken with Plums", this time using real actors and focusing on a side of Satrapi that "Persepolis" neglected: the artist. While that story stands on its own, the disenchantment of the protagonist nevertheless connects thematically strongly with "Persepolis". To those interested this very quirky romantic picture is warmly recommended as well. It looks stupendously French, but is all about that beautiful girl of back then, the one who bears the name Irâne.