Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Dereux

Director: Marjane Satrapi

Screenplay: Marjane Satrapi

Genre: Animated Films/Graphic Novel Adaptation/Drama/French Film

Running time: 1 hr 53 mins



CRITIQUE:


For an animated film, PERSEPOLIS breaks the barriers. In the generation that strives for anthropomorphic animated perfection, cue in Pixar banner, this monochromatic, simply hand drawn ignores the guidebook, draws sarcastic eyebrow-raise to society and keeps its tongue firmly in cheek. This is a testament that life is not about animated splash of dazzle and colours, but sometimes has to be bleak, black-and-white, and nevertheless compelling. You will never see anything quite like this yet, and PERSEPOLIS contrives like a comic-book drawn by an elementary grader but with such innocence and unswerving point-of-view to the world that effortlessly borders into funny and poignant storytelling.


The first half, we journey to Marjane’s world as a child, growing up in extreme situations where a major revolution breaks out in Tehran, Iran and extremists set out to rule with iron fists. That is to say, since when have we seen an animated film so rich with history? The political dilemma unfolds in the eyes of Marjane, a strong-willed, free-spirited tot larking around Iranian streets like a normal child but fuelled by society’s repression of freedom. Perhaps Marjane’s character would go down to cinema history’s most fascinating animated characters. Her witnessing of Iran’s descent to capitalism and extremity is seen with sarcasm, wilful wit and amazing humour: the best is to see Marjane and her gang of bully friends chasing after another kid whose father works for the secret police with a handful of nail weapons. And to call God a “fucking bastard” when she discovers her family is in trouble, after her unflinching devotion.


It flinches slightly on the second half when Marjane’s discovers love in Austria and tries to run amok with her new friends. However, it gathers strength again when the mature Marjane learns the lessons of the real liberty, the freedom to coexist with society, accepting herself for what she really is. It gives us this perennial lesson that where we come from makes us who we really are.



VERDICT:

A deserving triumph of a film. This takes an unabashed, unblinking look into child psychology, cultural prognosis and coming-of-age tale in black-and-white territory with great poignancy. If not for that rat who dreams to cook, this could have easily won an Oscar.



RATING: A