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Home » Blogs » scribegrrrl's blog » "Persepolis": Growing up in black and white

"Persepolis": Growing up in black and white

by
scribegrrrl

The nominations for the 35th annual Annie Awards were announced this morning. Never heard of the Annie Awards? They recognize the year's best animation in several categories, from film and TV to video games and commercials.

This year's Best Animated Feature nominees include fairly obvious choices ilke Bee Movie, Ratatouille and The Simpsons Movie. But I'm more interested in a little gem called Persepolis.

Persepolis is based on the graphic novels (essentially a memoir in two parts) by Marjane Satrapi, who grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Satrapi now lives and works in France, and Persepolis features the voices of two French national treasures, Catherine Deneuve and her daughter Chiara Mastroianni. If you're not already fascinated, take a look at this stunning trailer:



Kinda makes me feel better about my own adolescence! (My best friend would have been in big trouble for her jacket covered with Michael Jackson buttons.)

I felt quite moved after watching the trailer, so I expect the film to be even more moving. Early reviews are nothing but positive — with the exception of the comments from Iranian officials, that is. Sometimes I think animation/drawing (on film or on the page) is the best way to tell a difficult story; Alison Bechdel's Fun Home shows that to very fine effect too.

Perespolis directors Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud were also nominated for an Annie, and the film won the Jury Prize at Cannes this year. The film opens Dec. 25 in limited release. There will also be an English version, featuring Gena Rowlands and — whew — still Deneuve and Mastroianni. But I think I prefer to hear Deneuve in her native French. (Speaking of French, DailyMotion.com has a slew of Persepolis-related clips and interviews in French.)

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    • Submitted by
    scribegrrrl
    on December 3, 2007 - 2:30pm.
    TAGS :: 
    deathbyblonde's picture

    I'm so excited for this!

    Submitted by
    deathbyblonde (313 posts)
    on December 3, 2007 - 4:04pm.
    I completely fell in love with the graphic novels and I'm glad that the movie version looks almost as good.  The books were some of the most beautiful ones I've ever read.
    Pirategrrrl's picture

    Looks amazing ...

    Submitted by
    Pirategrrrl (2015 posts)
    on December 3, 2007 - 4:15pm.

    Can't wait! Thanks for the head's up, SG!  

    And what’s he then that says I play the villain,
    When this advice is free I give, and honest

    fern freak's picture

    The graphic novel was quite

    Submitted by
    fern freak (29 posts)
    on December 3, 2007 - 5:21pm.
    The graphic novel was quite interesting, a good read.  Though I liked the movie better, even though I watched it in french.
    jen1684's picture

    Great!

    Submitted by
    jen1684 (43 posts)
    on December 3, 2007 - 5:25pm.

    I usually don't really like animated movies/cartoons but I've seen Persepolis when it came out in France and I have to say that I really liked it. It is a great movie! It is funny, sad, very interesting historically, it's really good. And the drawing are really nice too. My favorite moment was during the "eye of the tiger song" (for those who saw it!).

    I hope it will have success worldwide. And as you said, sometimes animation is the best way to tell a difficult story.

    Final Girl's picture

    Can't wait for this.

    Submitted by
    Final Girl (129 posts)
    on December 3, 2007 - 5:34pm.

    And FYI, there's a big article/interview with Marjane Satrapi in this month's Bust magazine.

    _________________________________

    All the cool kids are reading Final Girl. You do want to be cool, don't you?

    cassiopeia191's picture

    It's stunning

    Submitted by
    cassiopeia191 (35 posts)
    on December 4, 2007 - 5:13am.
    I saw this a few days ago and I highly recommend watching it. It stays really close to the graphic novels and somehow manages to be sad and funny at the same time, which is an amzing accomplishment if you know how to do it right. Plus, it show's Iran's history and society from an insider's perspective and gives it so much more texture and layers than any newspaper report. One of the best movies this year!
    Ina's picture

    Watch it!

    Submitted by
    Ina (79 posts)
    on December 4, 2007 - 11:08am.

    I highly recommend this movie, saw it last week. The drawings are stunning and the story is funny, subversive, educational, moving, empowering and political all at the same time. One of the best movies I have seen in recent years, and certainly the best animated film, a genre of which I am not the biggest fan.

    I will actually get someone to give me the graphic novel for christmas... Go see this movie, you won't regret it!

     

    "I don't kiss girls who wear doilies." (Alice)

    karen's picture

    WOW!!

    Submitted by
    karen (48 posts)
    on December 4, 2007 - 2:37pm.

    i didn't know they made a movie from the books.... YES!! i love them! that's soooo good.

    best tip ever.

    Anonymous's picture

    True Artistic Animated Filmmaking

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on December 5, 2007 - 9:14am.

     Oh all is not lost in true artistic filmmaking and animation for Adults. I can't wait to see this film.  Oh,I hope it opens in Little Rock on that day, if not the film is worth the wait. Yes, indeed, thanks for the heads up.

    I'm in Vibe this month...pick up a copy..check me out and then put it back on the stand. thanks.

    peace imani (Imani Coppola's Black & White album from her mypsace page)

    Explorergal's picture

    Moving

    Submitted by
    Explorergal (537 posts)
    on December 5, 2007 - 10:03am.

    The trailer looks awesome, but how sad that people have to live through such difficulty.

    I like that AfterEllen brings things to the forefront that I would never have looked at or noticed.  Kudos to Persepolis and to AE!


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