A beautifully spare form of animation to tell a story of sorrow and hope.
While much of our thoughts are focused on Iraq with Iran a largely unknown "enemy," this fine animation reminds us that people are people - everyone wants to love and be loved, and everyone wants to be safe.
"Persepolis" is the story of a little girl in Iran, her parents liberals ... the struggle of this nation to define itself - is it a modern nation or a regressive Islamic state? The girls parents have hope, but the realities are anything but hopeful. Under the Shaw, life was difficult, but under the Islamic regime that took hold after the overthrow of the Shaw, life grew desperate and fearful.
And always the price paid by women!
The little girl is sent to school in Vienna - she speaks French, and when queried about her identity, she says, "French."
But, in time, she learns how to say, "Iranian."
She returns home, then finally to France as a young lady.
This finely done animation puts a "face" on a people, and that's the wonder of it - as long as a people remain "them," we can think horribly of them, do to them anything we please, but when a people acquire a face, a face no different than my face, your face - with the same kind of hope and hurts, we have to readjust our sentiments and our behavior.
I love animation, and this is one of the best - not lush, and for but a few scenes, black and white. In its simplicity, it conveys a powerful story.
Definitely a must see!
