'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.