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| Persepolis | 
| Directors: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
Actors: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.95
Buy Used: $9.98
You Save: $19.97 (67%)
New (48) from $14.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 1113
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)
Running Time: 96 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.8 x 0.7
MPN: COLD22525D
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 
On Blu-ray | 
Paperback | 
Soundtrack CD |
Product Description
Writer & director marjane satrpi draws a poignant coming-of-age story of a young iranian girl set against the backdrop of the islamic revolution during the 1980s & 90s. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 06/24/2008 Run time: 95 minutes Rating: Pg13
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| Customer Reviews: Read 47 more reviews...
 Surprisingly powerful November 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
We have become accustomed to slick, technically amazing cartoons produced by Disney and Pixar. Here is something completely different -- an animated movie produced by humans drawing with pencils on paper in black and white where the emphasis is on the story. We experience the Iranian Islamic Revolution and its brutal aftermath through the eyes of one young Iranian girl and her family.
This is recent history that needs to be retold and remembered because Iran looms so large on the world stage today. With its president spewing hatred on Israel and its scientists racing to acquire a nuclear weapon, we should remember how these extremists came to power and what they did to their own people once they had grasped it.
The movie is scrupulously fair, depicting the brutality of the Shah followed by the much greater savagery of the Islamic regime which succeeded it. We see women harassed for "improper" dress, parties busted, families searched for illegal alcohol. We see the hardship and suffering Iranians had to endure during the 8-year war with Iraq. Most of all, we see the effect of such intolerance and extremism on the delicate psyche of one bright, intelligent woman who wants nothing other than to grow up to be free and to realize her potential.
There are many charming and funny incidents in this movie -- it's not a complete downer. The serious story it tells is one we can all identify with.
 Some UK reviewers have criticized it, but ... November 3, 2008
Some UK reviewers have criticized Marjane for seemingly complaining that the Iranian regime tried to stop her and her associates from partying. I would not defend partying of this kind, but it is evident that these critical reviewers have not had the experience of living under a tyrannical regime. I would not wish it on anyone. To dissociate oneself from a pervasive and dominant foli a plusieurs is incredibly difficult and many people go insane in the attempt or commit suicide.
In fact this book and DVD is very helpful in understanding how many people inevitably react in a repressive, authoritarian regime when trying to maintain a personal integrity. If you squeeze a balloon in one place, it will splurge out in another - often in an unpalatable way. What amazes me is how dissidents manage to remain sane in authoritarian regimes of this nature. The author, and her family, should be commended for having done so. It also takes courage to produce an account of this sort.
I would unreservedly recommend "Persepolis", both in book form and in DVD format, despite the inevitable unpalatability of some of the content. It may be uncomfortable, but it should function a warning to us as to what could happen even in currently 'democratic' states unless we face reality now and stop engaging in denial.
Necessary to understand the value of freedom October 29, 2008
I recommend this movie to evreyone, specially to those that doubt about the good of freedom. This film has a lot to do in some way with wat is happening in Venezuela. A similar type of government is destroying all sorts of liberties. You can see through this film the luck we have to live in free countries and the importance of the values of a free society. The animation is really good and a some scenes are funny. A must see
Excellent cartoon depiction of real life drama October 25, 2008
I had not seen a real good animated movie in a long time. This fit the bill even in its black an white form. This story of a Muslim woman living through a revolution and culture shock would be of great interest to a progressive open minded woman. It has many laughs as well. A perfect movie for the times. I don't think religious traditionalists would approve but a piece of work worth the scrutiny and dollar.
Sometimes A Single Voice Can Be Heard Where A Million Cannot October 16, 2008
For its trimmed-down storytelling and visually-appealing animation style, the sub-titled Persepolis is a smart, interesting, creative movie that I enjoyed right up to its last twenty minutes, when alas it fizzled. If it had had a better ending, or even a more definite ending, it'd be five-stars all the way. I have seen Persepolis several times since buying it last month and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes an imaginative story or who wants to learn more about the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, or the struggle for the stifled soul to breathe free inside a fundamentalist Islamic Republic. Persepolis does a grand job of putting faces onto Iranians of the extraordinary and mundane stripe, from a charming old grandmother, to a kindly uncle tragically murdered by revolutionaries, to everyday kids lethally persecuted for trying to have party. Above all Persepolis cracks many stereotypes and shows the uniqueness and goodness in everyone, even as it stares down those who would seek to crush the human spirit in the name of their God. It also irrefutably condemns the evils of Islamism, which is merely another guise for totalitarian of an all-too familiar order. Personally I enjoyed the segments of the movie set in Iran more than I did the forays into Europe, but those too served as nice contrasts, and overall this is a film that stands above most of what's out there lusting after your ever-dwindling entertainment dollar.
How about I call Persepolis four and a half stars and tell you you should see it?
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