Persepolis

Since you asked, I thought it was incredible, but I expected nothing less owing to how much I loved the comic. It's also a work that can't be separated from the present political context, which is why it requires a more in-depth post than, "Gaaaah. Go see it." (You should go see it, though.)

For those of you unfamiliar with the comic, it's the story of Marjane Satrapi, the daughter of bourgeois Iranian intellectuals. Many of her family members are communists, including some who have been imprisoned for their opposition to the Shah's rule. When massive street protests break out in Tehran, they see it as a sign that they'll finally be free of a cruel dictatorship. Obviously, the revolution doesn't go so well, and the first book is the story of bright, independent young Marjane struggling to survive under a brutally misogynistic theocracy.

The film is visually stunning. It breathes life into the beautiful drawings from the comic. It's so rare to see traditional animation on the big screen these days.

It's also very funny. That was the one thing my friend S. kept commenting on, because there's apparently no other Iranian movie that's funny. But it's a tragic humour, because—SPOILER—the story is basically one horrific event after another, so you laugh, you let your guard down, and then Satrapi delivers a gut-punch.

( Now, let's talk about the politics )

Okay, so let's get to my one big criticism of the film. It's Persepolis I and II condensed into the same movie. They really should have made two. They cut out my favourite scene and spent more time than they should have, I thought, on the Vienna parts. But if my largest criticism of a movie is "it should have been twice as long," that's the kind of criticism that should make you want to run out and see it.

Persepolis

Since you asked, I thought it was incredible, but I expected nothing less owing to how much I loved the comic. It's also a work that can't be separated from the present political context, which is why it requires a more in-depth post than, "Gaaaah. Go see it." (You should go see it, though.)

For those of you unfamiliar with the comic, it's the story of Marjane Satrapi, the daughter of bourgeois Iranian intellectuals. Many of her family members are communists, including some who have been imprisoned for their opposition to the Shah's rule. When massive street protests break out in Tehran, they see it as a sign that they'll finally be free of a cruel dictatorship. Obviously, the revolution doesn't go so well, and the first book is the story of bright, independent young Marjane struggling to survive under a brutally misogynistic theocracy.

The film is visually stunning. It breathes life into the beautiful drawings from the comic. It's so rare to see traditional animation on the big screen these days.

It's also very funny. That was the one thing my friend S. kept commenting on, because there's apparently no other Iranian movie that's funny. But it's a tragic humour, because—SPOILER—the story is basically one horrific event after another, so you laugh, you let your guard down, and then Satrapi delivers a gut-punch.

( Now, let's talk about the politics )

Okay, so let's get to my one big criticism of the film. It's Persepolis I and II condensed into the same movie. They really should have made two. They cut out my favourite scene and spent more time than they should have, I thought, on the Vienna parts. But if my largest criticism of a movie is "it should have been twice as long," that's the kind of criticism that should make you want to run out and see it.

More viewing-of-things

Of all the shows that I'm addicted to, Torchwood is by far the worst.

This said, ( spoiler )

And you just don't see that that on TV, usually.

More viewing-of-things

Of all the shows that I'm addicted to, Torchwood is by far the worst.

This said, ( spoiler )

And you just don't see that that on TV, usually.