I just saw this real wonderful animated film called Persepolis.
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study for a better life. However, this change proves an equally difficult trial with the young woman finding herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.
Source: IMDB
This is based on Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, Persepolis.
Yep. It's a true story.
What's really good with this film is that even though the themes may seem dark and heavy, you get to see Iran in it's turmoil through a child's eyes. And as Marji grows up, you seem to grow up with her and you easily slide in to her mindset and understand what she's going thru.
It's a bittersweet romp into how a child copes with pain and suffering. How a child tries to understand and fit in; and how loved ones around the child protects her from the darkness around.
And being Filipino, I can't but help see the parallelism between what has and is happening between Iran and here in the Philippines.
It's a real must see movie. Too bad, it's not as popular as the other fares around.
