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CAPONE Gets Animated When Discussing PERSEPOLIS!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
Oh, man, do I love this movie. I reviewed it along with THE KITE RUNNER a little while ago, and I’m excited to check out Capone’s take on it:
Hey all. Capone in Chicago here.
My Number 22 movie of 2007 was this was this absolutely lovely work based on Marjane Satrapi's (who also serves as the film's co-director along with Vincent Paronnaud) simply drawn but utterly unique, two-part graphic novel of the same name. Told mostly in elegantly realized, clean, usually black-and-white line drawings, this animated feature tells the story of Marjane's childhood growing up in turbulent and changing times in Iran, as the Shah was on the way out and Islamic fundamentalism was on the rise. A natural rebel, Marjane discovers Western culture—particularly hard and punk rock music—at an early age, and it makes her parents fearful for her safety in the newly oppressive Iranian society. After the war with Iraq begins in earnest and Marjane's uncle is executed, her parents feel compelled to send her to Austria for schooling, where she is, at first, looked upon with suspicion.
What I found most fascinating is the complex and layered way Satrapi deals with the prejudice she experienced in Europe, which eventually dissipated as she made more friends (even a boyfriend!). The idea that this teenage girl had to go through this critical developmental period without parental guidance and in a foreign land so different from her home is almost unfathomable. And as much as she became accustomed to her new surroundings, her homesickness was devastating and inevitable, as was her eventual journey home to a vastly changed place. This French production uses some great local talent, including Chiara Mastroianni as the voice of Marjane and Catherine Deneuve as Marjane's mother (Deneuve is Mastroianni's real-life mother); the film is actually France's official selection for the Academy Awards' Best Foreign Language Film prize.
There is something inherently delicate and moving about PERSEPOLIS, both as a work of visual art and as a heartbreaking piece of storytelling. It becomes clear early upon her return to Iran that Marjane's anti-establishment tendencies and her overwhelming need to point out inequalities and wrongdoings in Iranian society will not go unnoticed or unpunished. She gets married, and as much as she'd clearly like to play the good wife, her sense of justice and spirit of defiance will always prevail. She's exactly the kid of woman her nation needs, which means she's exactly the kind that cannot be allowed to stay in the country. Her decision to leave Iran and move to France is so painful and is portrayed so masterfully in this film, I almost let go with the waterworks. Not that this film is nothing but one heavy moment after another; it is certainly told with an immense amount of humor mixed with many poignant and sorrowful moments. PERSEPOLIS is one of the most visually engaging and flawlessly scripted works I saw last year. I implore you to give this utterly original work a shot. There's no way you'll be disappointed.
Capone
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Just like every other foreign animation flick that comes out to great praise.
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subtitles distract from the animation
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Something about those cheesy voice actors anime uses, always makes it that much more entertaining. I know this one isn't anime but it looks interesting.
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Another classy read (you might want to edit out the double 'was this was this' in the first line) I like Capones reviews.
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And yes, I AM a typical close-minded, xenophobic American.
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I knew virutally nothing about it when I saw it back in the Fall, and it just completely grabbed me. I don't get all geek-love for much of anything, but this film works so well on several different levels. It's special. Thanks for the great review, Capone.
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will it be in wide release?
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I'll watch it once it shows up on youtube.
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I think that statement was a little misinformed, and you're right, shallow. I have seen Persepolis and I really do believe it has set itself apart from the rest. It was a great film, at times even emoting a more personal feel than the comic, that could only have been possible through animation. If you think it won't be your thing, that is totally cool. All I'm saying is, maybe give it a try and you might find something you like. I would love to see such a deserving movie movie be more successfull.
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best comic since maus. my future daughter will definitely be named Marjane
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Maybe I'm just looking at it wrong.
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Bethesda Row, Landmark E-Street and one other place (but not the AFI? Wazzup with that?). I'll be there for the 10:00 Friday evening show. Looks amazing!
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