PERSEPOLIS

Just watched Persepolis, the film version of Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, at Soho Curzon with Grace. Persepolis follows Marjane as she grows up in Iran under the rule of the Shah and the ayatollahs, who force her to remain modest and follow the law. She is funny and intelligent and outspoken, the daughter of liberal parents who encourage her to know her history, love her country, keep intergrity and never back down. Its a brilliant film about displacement and lonliness as well as a small history lesson of Iran. The opening credits are absolutely beautiful, and it feels deliciously odd to see hand drawn animation, completely without the glossiness of Pixar. I did feel something was lacking, and I feel silly saying so because it got such rave reviews everywhere. It ended rather abruptly and as this film is a bit hit and her original novel was a two-parter, I've no doubt we'll be having a sequel. The whole way through the film my thoughts on an Iranian friend I have who fled with her family to settle in Sweden and eventually London, I wondered what it must have been like to experience war as a child, but still retaining a deep love for your country (this girl can still speak the ancient language of Farsi) Definitly one to watch for all those ladies who have crossed borders and feel alone in the world. Marjane Satrapi is such an cool interesting character herself. Read an interview of her in the Guardian here.