Persepolis – the animated film

by matt

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.