Persepolis is an engrossing and thought provoking animation film based upon a series of graphic novels by Marjane Satrapi, whose extraordinary life amidst the backdrop of the Iranian revolution serves as the basis for the comic book and its big screen adaptation.     

The film begins with Marjane as an impressionable young girl raised by a loving family with Communist leanings in the Iranian capital of Teheran. Her child hood fantasy to become of prophet is derailed when she rejects her faith after her country undergoes a cultural revolution and overthrows one heavy handed government only to replace it for another, only this time it is a government bent on oppression and tyranny through religious extremism as opposed to monarch rule.   

In her adolescence she develops a rebellious streak which causes her to become hounded by the authorities her do not approve of her unorthodox dress sense and taste in music. Knowing full well her attitude could get her thrown in jail (or even killed), Marjane’s parents send her to Vienna where she becomes a young woman and lashes out towards authority at every turn. This leads to her become homeless, depressed, and finally on a plane back to Iran where she learns to accept her heritage as an Iranian and forge an identity as a feminist in a male dominated country.  

Through bitter experience, Satrapi takes hardline political and ideological stances which are preached in her work: this is one of the most pro-Communist films seen since Warren Beatty’s 1981 classic Reds, and also (or as a result) it is one of the most anti-religious seen in some time as well.

Although death haunts every frame in Persepolis, there is a biting humour which is infectious and heartfelt warmth which is felt with her family, especially her influential grandmother (voiced well by Danielle Darrieux).   

And while at a glance its black and white animation may seem simple in today’s Pixar / 3D exuberant world of colour, it is in fact astonishingly striking and innovative in its approach and – combined with its engrossing story – makes for gripping and entertaining viewing.  

A moving, funny, and original coming of age story, Persepolis is adult (as in mature, not pornographic) animation entertainment at its best.