Persepolis | 
| Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Actors: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian, Gabrielle Lopes
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $7.99
You Save: $21.96 (73%)
New (46) Used (20) from $6.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  43 reviews
Sales Rank: 440
Format: Ac-3, Black & White, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 95
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.8 x 0.7
MPN: 22525
UPC: 043396225251
EAN: 0043396225251
ASIN: B000YAA68W
Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2007
Release Date: June 24, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A fascinating and wholly unexpected take on Iran's Islamic revolution beginning in the 1970s, Persepolis is an enthralling, animated feature about a spirited young woman who spends her life trying to deal with the consequences of her nation's history. Based on an autobiographical comic book by Marjane Satrapi, the story concerns Marji (voiced as a teenager and woman by Chiara Mastroianni), whose natural fire and precociousness are slowly dampened by the rise of religious extremists. Marji grieves over the imprisonment and execution of a beloved uncle, then begrudgingly adapts to ever-tightening rules about dress, social mores, education for women, and expectations about marriage and divorce. Along the way, her grandmother (Danielle Darrieux) and mother (Catherine Deneuve) help keep Marji grounded during her rebellious teens and encourage her to find life beyond Iran's borders, a decision that proves both a blessing and curse. An unique window onto a crucial chapter of 20th century history, Persepolis is graphically engaging with its black-and-white, bold lines and feeling of repressed energy, fit to burst. The emotional content is so strong that after awhile, one almost forgets the film is a cartoon. Satrapi co-wrote the screenplay and co-directed the film along with animator Vincent Paronnaud. --Tom Keogh Stills from Persepolis (click for larger image) Beyond Persepolis 
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Product Description
Persepolis is the poignant story of a young girl coming-of-age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of precocious and outspoken nine-year-old Marjane that we see a people's hopes dashed as fundamentalists take power forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. Clever and fearless she outsmarts the "social guardians" and discovers punk ABBA and Iron Maiden. Yet when her uncle is senselessly executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable. As she gets older Marjane's boldness causes her parents to worry over her continued safety. And so at age fourteen they make the difficult decision to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager. In addition Marjane has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape. Over time she gains acceptance and even experiences love but after high school she finds herself alone and horribly homesick. Though it means putting on the veil and living in a tyrannical society Marjane decides to return to Iran to be close to her family. After a difficult period of adjustment she enters art school and marries all the while continuing to speak out against the hypocrisy she witnesses. At age 24 she realizes that while she is deeply Iranian she cannot live in Iran. She then makes the heartbreaking decision to leave her homeland for France optimistic about her future shaped indelibly by her past.System Requirements:Running Time: 95 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ANIME Rating: PG-13 UPC: 043396225251 Manufacturer No: 22525
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| Customer Reviews: Read 38 more reviews...
 Striking style, simplistic content... September 5, 2008
I had read several reviews of this film before I saw it, and had come to expect something both cutting edge and offering a unique insight into the Iranian situation.
Instead I found a rather flat-footed retelling of the Iranian revolution where the height of the insight was that 'evil' regimes oppress women and don't let people have parties.
Nothing in this film tells us anything we don't already know, and instead of getting a sense that the Ayatollah genuinely infringed civil liberties or repressed free speech, he came across as nasty party pooper who won't let our heroine have a social life.
She comes across just a tiny bit brattish rather than a genuine rebel and her outspokenness appears to be limited to one speech in a lecture theatre and some faux rebellions.
Although the animation is striking, it still doesn't feel very original, and the whole thing comes across like a graphic novel (which I believe it is), but more in the sense that it's a story simplified for 13 year-olds and is more concerned with making sure it doesn't alienate them than actually provoking thought or educating them.
Maybe I expected too much of, but it was just so-what for me. Disappointing.
A worm's eye view of Terhan's turbulant history September 2, 2008
Sad, funny, heartbraking. And the people suffer for the decisions of our "leaders". I liked this simple story telling of complex middle eastern history. I thought it was very over-rated though. It was a bit too long for a cartoon, even though it was well done, it gets very tedious toward the end. Enjoy!
 a classic in its own rights and domain August 24, 2008
I do not believe I have ever seen such a deep and touching animation movie - this is an absolute wonder and it treads in a domain which is difficult to explain and hard to understand - Iran (not Arab), Europe, the culture, the cultural classes, religion, politics - can it be any more complicated - but Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi have been able to simplify all these complex issues into a simple story as seen through the eyes of the protagonist Marjane Satrapi. I feel very strongly about this probably because I have gone through many similar experiences (with different background) so when I was watching the movie , the truth in it almost made me cry.
We are used an Iran depicted by CNN and George Bush Administration but this is a very narrow and politicized view of Iran - Persia as a country has an enormous cultural roots and strong social fabric which the islamic rulers cannot destroy so easily and we also forget to realize that Islam (speacially the persian version) was not aggressive or brutal infact they gave us Rumi. Thye movie shows an amazing transformation of Iran through the last century - this transformation has never been produced so lucidly anywhere. It also shows that the subcultural of this liberal front in Iran has not died (not yet) and it still can germinate back again. The protagonist see the revolution (where Shah is removed), the war with Iraq - see gets support from her liberal grandma who represents the subculture of liberalism which never died. This movie probably shows the biggest difference between Iran and Arab nations (like Saudi) - most of the time we lump Iran in the same category with Arab nations but Persia was completely a different world.
Then when the protagonist moves to Europe for her studies - she faces the challenges of cultural differences and her inner battle of identity crisis - this depiction is poetic it is almost like somebody is reading from Albert Camus - sometimes the inner demons wins but finally she overcomes the hurdles and moves forward - the movie ends with an ray of hope - it shows that Iran can get back its own identity which is different from the Islamic identity.
Finally it brings out a potrait of the women of Iran - they can fight their own battle and do not need western sympathy - they understand their plight and they are involved in a struggle to change it - hope they can change - I have decided to buy this DVD
impressive disc August 22, 2008
The effort to produce a fantastic disc about a serious subject was impressive and appreciated.
Life in perpetual motion August 11, 2008
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
Persepolis is a wonder to behold!
Not your standard cartoon, it's mostly black and white with some pretty basic animation. But frame by frame each simple sketch harnesses an enormous spirit. Funny, poignant, and endearing, it's also a real eye opener. Very much a vocal springboard for the people of Iran. Especially the women.
It follows the life of Marjane, an idealistic young girl growing up in a war-torn country. She struggles to find her identity with so many laws and customs that hinder her freedom of expression. Quite a different life than we are accustomed to.
Young women forced to wear veils, loose clothing, be "proper"...alcohol, pork, music, makeup, films, fashion--all forbidden.
This is such a touching film. Its importance could never be overstated. It's really not limited to a particular country or people. It is in fact universal. An entertaining, educational cartoon you adults should not miss.
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