Persepolis - the animated film

persepolis1.jpg

‘The only real divide in this world is between the idiots and non-idiots.’
- Marjane Satrapi

I went to see Persepolis the other night at the Vancouver film festival. Sold out. Long lines. But we managed to get in with our guest passes.

It was exactly what I hoped it would be - a faithful translation of the graphic novels, with beautiful textures; funny, sweet, moving. The scenes with Satrapi as a child (above) are outrageously cute.

As an experience, I think the the graphic novels are probably richer and more nuanced, but this film will bring Satrapi’s story to many more people than the comics would have - which I think is important - considering the dearth of women’s (not to mention Persian women’s) voices in film these days.

Comments (6 comments)

I’ll have to remember to keep an eye out for the movie when it gets a wider release. I( don’t expect a full-fledged nation-wide release, but I live in NYC, so it’s bound to get some play here.)

One nitpick: Iranians aren’t Arabs. For the most part. There is an Arab minority living there, but most Iranians are Persians.

Avram / October 9th, 2007, 6:11 pm / #

[...] All this brought to you by a quote from Marjane Satrapi (via Matt): ‘The only real divide in this world is between the idiots and non-idiots.’ [...]

hughmcguire.net · the only real divide / October 9th, 2007, 7:05 pm / #

Argh, I’m so jealous! I really want to see this movie, and I’m just hoping that a subtitled version will be released somewhere around me.

And yes, Ms. Satrapi is Persian.

Neil Babra / October 10th, 2007, 2:33 am / #

Avram and Neil - Eep! Thanks for the correction - I changed the post.

I really hope the film is widely distributed. There seems to be such a thirst for her stories.

matt / October 10th, 2007, 8:50 am / #

is it online yet??? i’d love to watch it.

hugh / October 10th, 2007, 1:16 pm / #

The book is always better, isn’t it?

mom / October 12th, 2007, 2:37 pm / #

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