The Buzz on Persepolis

Earlier this week it was suggested I check in on the buzz on Persepolis to which my reply was the usual, intelligent response of "Whaaaaa?" If there's buzz on this movie it's from a nest of mosquitoes because I hadn't heard nearly enough of it. I knew it was animated. I knew it was French. And I knew it made a splash at the Cannes Film Festival. In my mind, I thought, "Huh, The Triplets of Belleville Part Deux." Seen it, done it.

The fool doth think he wise. I read up on the movie, delved into some of the graphic novels yesterday, and can honestly say my top five most anticipated events in 2007 are now the following:

1.) The Sugar Shane Mosley-Miguel Cotto fight at Madison Square Garden this Saturday (I've got tickets but will only sell them for your soul)
2.) My aunt's Thanksgiving sweet potato pie
3.) There Will Be Blood
4.) No Country for Old Men
5.) Persepolis

And I'm not afraid who knows it, either. And that includes you, Iran. Yes, the Iranian government has already denounced the film and banned it from a state-sponsored festival which I will leave nameless for its lack of spine. So why all the hubbub?

Persepolis is based on a series of graphic novels by Marjane Satrapi. It's a coming-of-age tale that is not only a rich and realistic look at life in Iran, and at its volatile political and social statuses, but also a love letter from a woman who loves her country but finds it impossible to stay there.

Satrapi, who now lives in France, grew up during the Islamic Revolution (she was nine years old when it started). She remembered what it was like seeing mini-skirts and going to school with (gasp!) boys. She remembered not having to wear a veil. She recalls a time when it was okay to drink, play chess, have a party. Naturally, she remembers everything after that too. Persepolis, like the graphic novels, is based on Satrapi's life in Iran during a time of great change.

Her parents were thinkers and educated their daughter at home on the things she would never be taught in school regardless of the regime. They were educated and protested in the streets against the Shah. Her uncle was a political prisoner, a reader of Karl Marx. When the Shah's reign was over, the people of Iran celebrated. But as Islamic fundamentalism began to take over, one terrible regime was replaced with another, only this time it was even more restricting. Textbooks dictating that the Shah was appointed by God were replaced with others promoting a different propaganda, or sometimes not replaced at all (it wasn't long before things got so bad universities were shut down by the government).

And that's just the non-fun parts of the story. Persepolis is filled with pain and sadness, but manages to have a very healthy dose of lightheartedness, humor and insight. It's a moving, personal story and it's no surprise here if it ends up snagging a Best Animated Feature nomination for next year's Oscar ceremony. More likely, however, is a Best Foreign Film nomination (it's this year's French entry).

An English-dubbed version is on its way (slated for a Christmas release date) with the likes of Sean Penn, Iggy Pop, Gena Rowlands and Catherine Deneuve voicing some of the characters. Satrapi, who voiced her own character (and that of her grandmother) in the French version, will return in the U.S. version as well.

You can read more about the film right here.

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Dre writes three times a week for Film.com. He's banned in Iran Email him!

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