Watch This With Your Sisters: ‘Persepolis,’ Story of a Childhood

THE H (AS I refer to my darling husband) and I have a serious Netflix habit. We’re movie-lovers with limited local theatrical options, not to mention no cable TV, so we are dependent upon the mail to bring us our entertainment. For a few months now, one of the red envelopes we’ve had lurking around the house contained a film that the H rented on the advice of a movie-savvy friend, who swore it was the best movie he saw last year.

I guess I wasn’t paying attention (so sue me, I have children) but I didn’t realize that the film hiding in the TV room was the film adaptation of a book I’d been curious about, but never managed to read (again, I blame my young son and his younger sister).  The book, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, tells a fictionalized version of the author’s childhood in Tehran, set against the backdrop of the overthrow of the Shah, the Iran-Iraq War and the rise to power of the Islamic fundamentalist government. (The book was followed by a sequel, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, which is also incorporated into the film.)

The grief the little girl feels at the loss of a unique sisterhood is breathtaking.

The political content is fascinating, but it’s the viewpoint of a young girl (and eventually, young woman) that makes this film shine. Marjane is an outspoken, creative only child caught in a society that is increasingly hostile to women; yet, all around her, she has amazing examples of powerful women, in particular, her beloved grandmother. When Marjane has to leave Iran for Europe (not once, but twice) the grief she feels at the loss of a unique sisterhood is breathtaking.

In keeping with the book, the film is animated, mostly black and white, and in French with subtitles (a dubbed version is available on the disc, with excellent cast ranging from Gena Rowlands to Iggy Pop). It’s worth also watching the “making of” for further insight into Marjane’s personality and creativity and the work of the many artists who collaborated to make the film.

Please, please, rent this film, and let me know what you think–it’s got much fruit for discussion, and is guaranteed to make you appreciate the love of your sisters.

OTHER FILM LINKS ON TSP:

• TSP master list of sister flicks
• TSP holiday sister-flick list
• ‘Nothing Like the Holidays,’ and ‘Doubt’
• ‘Secret Life of Bees,’ I’ve Loved You So Long,’ and ‘Rachel Getting Married’

No related posts.