'Persepolis' - A reveiw

Why is it that so many foreign films have to be made with American accents? Persepolis, an animated film that’s based in Iran, is no exception. As it gently moves along my anger is seething at the complete inappropriate use of American accents. All through the film! No I never knew Iranians all spoke like they were from Yanksville. An insult to all people from the Persian nation – even if the characters were all animated.

However this is not a moanathon (sic). Persepolis is full of charm and appeals to adults, despite its animation. The film’s central character is Marji. She grows up in Iran and lives through the Islamic revolution, in which the Shah was deposed. The underscore is melancholy and there is a depressing undercurrent to much of this film. It depicts a nation where ordinary people live under a cloud of oppression. Religious fanaticism is never far away.

The usual Hollywood routine is played out with plenty of clichés seen in many American productions. Everything is portrayed to the satisfaction of American stereotyping and the humour is geared up for the US market. This dilutes the film’s message. But it has much more to offer the viewer than that. Iranian life is obviously the main story – the burkha, the war (Iran v Iraq) and the overwhelming lack of human rights is a constant.

The teenage Marji leaves Iran and moves to Austria where she continues her studies in Vienna. Along the way she discovers boys, drugs and loud music – things she would never have experienced if she’d stayed in her homeland. Marji eventually falls into a depressed state and returns to Iran.

It’s the end of the war and Tehran is like a graveyard. She has returned to a place that is increasingly westernised. Head scarves are eschewed. This is, we are told, 1992 but Marji is unhappy. She goes to a ‘shrink’ (psychiatrist) to improve her mental health.

Soon it is time for radical Islam to take hold. Not wearing a headscarf is seen as being rebellious and the country is, once more, repressive. Persepolis is a film which shows up the scarcity of civil liberties. In one scene people are partying in an apartment. The fun is punctured by the state police who break up the social gathering.

Marji, it seems, is unable to put up with this restrictive lifestyle and emigrates to France after getting her visa. The animation is mainly in black and white and this helps to convey the sad, poignant life in a country where human rights are rationed to suit religious extremism. It’s amazing how emotional animation can be.

The film ends with Marji learning of her grandmother’s death and it is rounded out with the old lady’s voice. A charming yet sad film, it’s not surprising that it was nominated for an Oscar. When I finished watching it I wanted more. An unexpected pleasure.

The Burkha Debate

A few years ago it was reported that Jack Straw MP (a government minister) had objected when a woman presented herself at one of his regular surgeries in his Blackburn constituency. Not because he dislikes Muslims or that he is unfriendly. It was what the lady was wearing, a Burkha (a gown covering the body from head to toe). Reuters quoted Straw as saying the clothing was a “visible statement of separation and difference.”

French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, was similarly ill at ease on the issue of the religious camouflage: “In our country, we cannot accept women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life deprived of all identity.” Indeed Sarkozy has the support of many in France since it is now illegal to wear Islamic symbols in public schools. However there is also strong opposition to his policy on what is a woman’s dress. The largest number of Muslims in Europe resides in France (5 million) and one can see there is plenty of potential for debate.

But despite the criticisms of Messrs Straw and Sarkozy, Muslim women will continue to don the garment. The Burkha originated back in the time of the Prophet Mohammed. To stop men leering at his wives, he would request they cover themselves top to toe. This soon led to many other women following suit. Sadi Mehmood (Director, Noble Khan) says: “Why would we cover a precious stone? To keep it safe, dust free, so it doesn’t get hurt or damaged by others. A similar metaphor can be seen to have been used in this case.”

However, Suzanne Evans, on her blog, says: “Jack Straw is right when he says it is a visible statement of separation and difference that makes positive relations between communities more difficult.” She goes on to say that talking when someone’s features are obscured by a veil of some sort becomes more problematic.

Despite Evans’ objections she makes an important point: “There is tremendous pressure on women to be slim, attractive, young-looking and always well-dressed. The success of Trinny and Susannah, a million women’s magazines and a handful of lad-mags depends upon it. I don’t like it and welcome anything that aims to stop objectifying women in this way.” Maybe Katie and Peter would still be together if the large chested lady was forced to wear a Burkha and didn’t flaunt her sexuality so publicly.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has this to say on the matter of dress: “The MCB echoes US president Barack Obama’s caution that it is important for western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practising religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear.”

In The Observer, last August, Jason Burke says of the Islamic dress: “The Qur’an enjoins women to dress modestly and to hide their beauty.” Further into his piece, he tells readers that “the debate over women’s dress is as cultural and political as it is theological. The Taliban’s attempt to make women in Kabul wear the Burkha (worn throughout most of Afghanistan’s rural areas) was part of a bid to roll back westernisation and control urban populations.”

It certainly seems women in some countries are treated unfairly, badly even. Human rights are clearly an issue and it is essential that women are not deprived of these rights. After all without the female gender we wouldn’t exist. The choice of what a woman wears should be an individual decision. Moving out of less enlightened times needs to be a priority for everyone in nations such as Afghanistan.

Moving closer to home, The Irish Post (www.irishpost.ie) says: “It may eventually become a subject for debate in Ireland and burying heads in the sand is not a solution. There may be more pressing problems for Brian Cowen right now, such as the country fast disappearing down the pan, but he could do worse than keep an eye on the French regarding developments on this issue.” Or perhaps Mr Cowen should wear a Burkha himself. It would hide the flab – better than buying a ‘slim-fit’ T-shirt in Primark, Brian!

The Greens have failed us

A spate of resignations have occurred in Irish politics since the end of last year. John O’Donoghue, George Lee, Deirdre deBurca and, most recently, Trevor Sargent have all departed their positions for a variety of reasons.

Ms dB has left the Green Party to follow another, as yet unknown, path in life. She has made known her disgust at the way the Greens have behaved since getting hitched to Fianna Fail. But this has done nothing to upset party leader John Gormley who clings to power like a limpet on a rock.

There has been an exodus from Ireland’s chief environmental political party and this may continue. The Greens in government have become ‘window dressing’ for Fianna Fail. Backbenchers from the senior government party must be livid with the way their leadership have contorted themselves to accept Monsignor (sic) Gormley’s every whim.

Indeed the Greens have really pushed their luck since entering government and at times this can be nauseating. Gormley and fellow Green minister Eamonn Ryan are in turn arrogant and star struck about their new-found power. While Brian Cowen and his party colleagues are working overtime to sort out economic matters, the Greens are concentrating on rotating ministerial jobs between them. Well, wouldn’t you manipulate the system too if you could?

So viewers, while you are juggling your daily problems: childcare, losing your job, paying a mortgage, getting credit for your business, laying off staff etc, spare a thought for the Greens and their problems. These guys are clearly more concerned with remaining in office and are happy to let FF take the heat. You see it’s taxpayers money that keeps our Greens where they are today. They love the trappings associated with high office and are determined not to relinquish them.

In the UK the Labour government look certain to be prised out of power by the voters in a few weeks time. The same may be true of Ireland’s Greens when the time comes for a general election here. They have frittered away any credibility they had and are now firmly part of the establishment.

The FD has never been a great fan of Patricia McKenna (former Green MEP), but she and her fellow Green dissidents have done the country a great service by resigning from the party. They’ve displayed far more sincerity in leaving than her former colleagues who are now ensconced in office.

John, Eamonn and co will continue to get their long holiday breaks and be paid well while all our hard workers (what’s left of them) struggle to stay afloat. Hopefully the voters will punish Gormley and his bunch of upstarts when they next ask the voters to keep them in splendour. Just like the PD’s before them, the Greens are living on borrowed time. Political oblivion beckons and it can’t come quickly enough.

A lesson in living

I became redundant from my job in June of 2002. Getting acquainted with the job seeking and welfare system was intimidating and I can understand, to some degree, the plight of many who have lost their jobs in this recession. My life has not adhered to a ‘work ethic’ and consequently I have a tiny bank balance. However doing something is better than nothing, even if voluntary work is what you choose.

In January 2003 I enrolled with FAS and did a three month Computer course. This equipped me with skills I had not previously possessed. Over the years, despite not returning to full time employment, I took it upon myself to ‘up-skill’. Currently there are people up and down the country who have a low level of skills. Maybe some of these people can benefit through re-education or training. It can be of immense importance in returning to the world of work.

2004 came into view and I put my retail knowledge to good use by doing a CE Scheme. A Charity shop in Dun Laoghaire was recruiting staff and, after applying, I was given a position. Roughly a year after joining the shop closed down - “not meeting targets”. I then decided not to work in the retail sector again as I felt it was generally un-skilled.

By 2005 I’d taken the opportunity to complete ECDL (European Community Driving Licence) over two years. However, despite learning much, this didn’t lead me into a job. One talent that I worked on intensely was typing and, at this stage, it had improved to 30 WPM. In October of 2007 a course, Receptionist Skills, was suggested to me. I duly attended and gained further skills. Unfortunately, though, this too failed to generate an income for me and after finishing it I felt quite despondent.

Over the last two years I have, quite by chance, become aware of the benefits of self-expression. This led me to attempt a career in journalism. I’m putting all my energy into this and am ready for a long, hard journey in this direction. Hopefully my efforts will bear fruit as I am dole-weary.

But why, viewers, am I getting up close and personal today? The answer is that many of us are losing livelihoods and getting mired in debt. Add mortgages and children to this cauldron of problems and things become toxic. I want to say that my experience may help my struggling brethren.

Yes the dole is an awful pain but it is not the only solution. Taking up one of a range of courses can give you the confidence and ability to get work, meaningful work. Up-skilling is well worth aiming at and no one should overlook the possibilities of further learning. Notwithstanding the pressures of daily living, especially losing employment, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

So don’t get depressed or go into a panic – there’s help available and re-education can prove to be a great liberator. Talents can be added to and new skills acquired. Through this, one’s experience grows. The only way is up!

The momentum is with Cameron

So they’re off! The British will go to the polls on 6 May 2010 and by that date, almost certainly, Gordon Brown will not be warming his toes in Downing Street. Since becoming prime minister, Brown has had to grapple with an international credit crisis. His record on the economy has been damaged and you would think the Conservatives would be miles ahead of Labour in the polls. This is not the case and many in the blue corner must be feeling unnerved.

The only reason the Conservatives are not further ahead in the opinion polls is that voters have not made up their minds yet. Despite the disastrous leadership of Brown, David Cameron’s party may not be sufficiently in front to win outright according to the latest polling. I sense that there will be a tipping point in the next few weeks that will boost the Conservatives and gain them a comfortable majority.

Interviewed on Channel 4 News, last night, the British PM seemed extremely relaxed. Facing a belting from the voters, one would not think he’d be feeling as easy. One reason for this may be that he feels he’s the underdog. Brown must sense that this election will be an opportunity to reflect on his time in power and what he has been largely responsible for. He may be secretly comforted with the thought that Cameron will soon have to answer to the people. This is real pressure cooker politics and one only has to look at Tony Blair’s visage to understand the stress that comes with leading a government.

Regardless of how Brown feels, the Conservatives have the momentum behind them. As the election campaign progresses it will become apparent that any thoughts of a ‘hung parliament’ will begin to fade. This election will, after 13 years in office, be Labour’s swansong and that is the reality of democratic politics. The forthcoming campaign will test everyone’s endurance (yes, even the observer!) and when it comes to an end there will, undoubtedly, be a huge relief as the dust finally settles.

Whilst not one for betting, the FD is almost certain that when the British vote, this year, they’ll be electing the first Conservative government since the general election of 1992. Until this is confirmed we’ll all have to experience an intensive campaign with everything being promised to the voters. Does this remind you of anywhere else?

African Fashion Weekend

Job losses, businesses closing and terrible problems besetting the national finances are all over the news. We need something to get away from the depression. The African Fashion Weekend allows us the chance to do exactly that.

This Saturday evening couldn’t be more unlike Africa. The weather outside is cold and wet, but inside it’s nearly tropical. The focus is on the ladies, African ladies. Lights are shining brightly as people are flashing cameras. Tonight’s venue (Bewley’s Hotel, Ballsbridge) is hot and it, hopefully, will get even hotter as the evening progresses. This is what bachelors like me describe as heaven.

Urban chic is the style tonight. You simply cannot ignore the glamour (am I still in Dublin?). French music permeates the hall as dazzling models swan down the catwalk. My jaw drops as the models pass my way and it confirms my view that African women are in a league of their own when it comes to beauty.

We are introduced to some belly dancing with a solo performance from an Irish woman, Roisin. She wiggles her stomach, shakes her hips and shows off her wonderfully exotic tattoos. Jewels seem to hang from all over her body. There are more jingling sounds than an average rattlesnake, while the excitement grows. The poor girl is near to expiring as our host, an outgoing lady with a London accent, asks about Roisin’s belly dancing classes. My belly never felt fatter!

“Are we ready for the next designer?” asks the host and I’m beginning to think this is what a classy Hen night must be like. The material tonight is truly exotic, another example of the wonderful dress sense Africans are blessed with. You’d think all the outfits are touched by God – they’re immaculate.

The models continue to pummel the catwalk and, even though not a designer, I feel like Karl Lagerfeld. There are a number of breaks to proceedings but there is seldom a quiet moment here in the Thomas Prior Hall. A young fellow is doing break dancing, the girls are going wild and the drinks are flowing.

But the main reason for African Fashion Weekend is the outfits which fit perfectly and are mesmerising to look at. One can scarcely guess how much they all cost. Confidence and extravagance come to the fore as the designers pitch their skills to us all.

The night goes well and, as far as I can tell, everything runs without a hitch. This is another opportunity to learn more about African culture and provides a showcase to some of the best fashion the continent has to offer. Hopefully this event will be an annual fixture, it bristles with plenty of positive energy. Truly delightful.

This article is dedicated to Toyosi Shittabey (15 years) R I P