Persepolis (2007)
Animation, Biography, Drama |.
Persepolis is a 2007 animated biographical drama film based upon the Marjane Satrapi autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. It was written and directed by Satrapi in collaboration with Vincent Paronnaud. The story follows a young girl as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The title references the historical city of Persepolis.
The film was an international co-production made by companies in France and Iran. It premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, where it co-won the Jury Prize, alongside Silent Light. In her acceptance speech, Satrapi said “Although this film is universal, I wish to dedicate the prize to all Iranians.” It was released in France and Belgium on 27 June 2007, earning universal praise by critics. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but lost to Ratatouille.
At an airport in France, an Iranian woman, Marjane ‘Marji’ Satrapi, looks at the flight schedule; her eyes come to rest on a listing bound for Tehran. She then takes a seat, smokes a cigarette, and reflects on her childhood.
As a young girl, Marji lived in Tehran, wanted to be a prophet, and was a big fan of Bruce Lee. When the 1979 Iranian revolution against the Shah of Iran begins, her middle-class family is thrilled and participates in the rallies, though Marji herself is forbidden from attending. One day, Siamak Jari, a friend of the family and the father of Marji’s friend Lali, is released from prison. They all listen as he recounts the horrors of prison, and Marji grows jealous of Lali having a real ‘hero’ in her family.
Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Writers: Marjane Satrapi (comic), Vincent Paronnaud (scenario)
Stars: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian, Gabrielle Lopes Benites
Cast:
| Chiara Mastroianni | … | Marjane (voice) |
| Danielle Darrieux | … | Grandma (voice) |
| Catherine Deneuve | … | Mom (voice) |
| Simon Abkarian | … | Dad (voice) |
| Gabrielle Lopes Benites | … | Marji (voice) |
| François Jerosme | … | Anoush (voice) |
| Tilly Mandelbrot | … | Lali (voice) |
| Sophie Arthuys | … | Walla (voice) |
| Arié Elmaleh | … | Walla (voice) |
| Mathias Mlekuz | … | Walla (voice) |
| Lexie Kendrick | … | Friend / Gossip / Teacher (2008) (voice) |
| Sean Penn | … | Mr. Satrapi – Marjane’s Father (voice) |
| Gena Rowlands | … | Marjane’s grandmother (voice) |
| Adriana Anderson | … | Enforcer / Nun / Teacher (voice) (uncredited) |
| Paul Bandey | … | Brit / Customs (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Robert Barr | … | Anchor / God (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Robert William Bradford | … | Guardian / Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Stephen Croce | … | Cabbie / Director / Great Uncle / Marx / Motorist / PA / Taher / Vendor (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bill Dunn | … | Beans / Guardian / Speaker / Teacher / Welcome (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Christine Flowers | … | Great Aunt / Shopper / Teacher (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| David Gasman | … | Doctor / Guardian / Interrogator / Sentry / Siamak (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Matthew Géczy | … | Markus / Momo / Sentry (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mirabelle Kirkland | … | Gossip / Welcome / Wife (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Chris Mack | … | Revolutionary / Reza / Sentry (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Iggy Pop | … | Anoush (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Nathan Rippy | … | Flirt / Shopper / Thierry (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Marjane Satrapi | … | Actress / Gossip / Schloss (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Barbara Scaff | … | Enforcer / Laly / Megaphone / Nassrine / Welcome (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
| Allan Wenger | … | Fereydoun / Fernando / Khosrow / Reza Shah / Shrink / Welcome (2008) (voice) (uncredited) |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia