Based on Marjane Satrapi’s outstanding graphic novels comes this black and white animated delight deals with Satrapi’s own experience being an Iranian citizen, her temporary residence in Austria and her return to her homeland. The film is 90% black and white animation (with a couple snippets of color) and all in French.
The first thing an audience looks for in an animated version of a graphic novel is a visual quality that is respectful of its source material. There are really no qualms to be had there, as co-director Vincent Paronnaud nails Satrapi’s economical but affecting style while making subtle improvements. A haze of ink splatter here, some radical perspective there, toss in a charming near-psychedelic dream sequence and the comics are in motion. The only complaint is at points the fast paced 90 min. telling of her autobiography, coupled with the high contrast black and white gets a little fatiguing to the eye.
Any biopic (and only in a round about way this is), or book adaptation comes up against the twofold task of editing a story down to get through it all, and not completely alienate the fans. Paronnaud and Satrapi (who co-directed as well) triumph in this respect because of their screenplay. No major point in the two Persepolis novels feels too glossed over. Someone who’s never read the books could understand all of the gravity of the political tumult and war tearing Iran, as well as the gracious sense of humor Satrapi employs to the mix. The movie easily shifts from impressionistic visions of young Iranian men falling to their death, to a hilarious, surreal montage detailing Satrapi’s awkward physical transition into womanhood.
Finally the movie retains the instinctual gravity of the stories deepest point: the burden of split consciousness. Most of Satrapi’s battle is a psychological one as she fleas Iran at such a young age to find herself in Vienna. She is as much delighted at the ease of life in her new home, as guilty for leaving her family in a war zone. Little Marjane becomes fluent in French while going through teenage growing pains. She never feels at home amongst her Austrian friends even while head-banging along at a Vienna punk rock show.
A return home can only offer oppressive social codes; women are forced to wear veils over their heads in public and can’t be seen walking with a man unless he is a family member. Marjane’s European sensibilities make her too loud for Iranian oppression, and her respect and awareness of her heritage makes Austria a difficult fit. Her tenacity and humor add color to the black and white balancing act, a stranger in a strange land, Satrapi dreams of God and Marx in the same sigh.
***1/2
