Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A humorous view of life in Iran, before and after, 12 Jan 2009
This review is from: Persepolis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
Haven't read the comic book it made a great impression, and my wife, who loves the book, also found the film worth seeing. In most ways its a sad story about life in Iran, before, when the Shah ruled, and after, when the Muslim clerics rule, but it is seen through the eyes of a mischievous young girl, who eventually goes abroad, when the repression gets too much even for her parents.
Iran was not a paradise under the Shah, and it is even less so now.
An important document, and a voice that refuses to shut up - well worth any penny you pay for it!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"I'm a foreigner in my own country...", 18 April 2009
This review is from: Persepolis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
This French film about the life of Marjane starts with her sitting in an airport and reminiscing about life up to this point, her journey though life is filled with the natural wonder and humour of a child - but against a backdrop of a radically changing Iran.
This film touches on prejudice and individualism. Sometimes prejudice is a convenient way to ignore the plight of those who need help by dismissing them as different; for them 'it's just part of life', 'they're used to it'. Persepolis faces those prejudices head on and shows that people are people the world over. Teens in Iran have the same hang ups as the teens in the West - personal worries seem to be universal. The film is more to do with the life of an ordinary teenage girl rather than the politics of a fanatically right-wing system of government.
The animation style isn't the most sophisticated - but it is very stylistic, with the past in black and white and the present represented in colour. All the voices seem to be perfect for the role, and together with the visuals you get a strong sense of the family warmth and the unity between those who resist the oppressive regime. Animation also allows the producers of the film to bring some visual humour into the film - especially when Marjane re-assesses her relationship with an ex boyfriend!
In a nutshell: We read so much about the conditions forced upon those in some Middle Eastern countries, but the film allows us to see the reality of how they affect the people under the regime and how repression is used to quash individuality. For that reason Persepolis is a fascinating glimpse into a world we hear a lot about but struggle to understand - this film gives a better idea about life in Iran than all the news documentary footage I've seen because it brings us the human story of everyday people, people we can relate to. This isn't a preachy film, it isn't patronising, and it doesn't feel `too political' - it's an interesting and personal story of a young woman who experiences much the same things as any other girl from anywhere else, but with the addition of having lived under conditions most of us will hopefully never have to.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Persepolis, Blu-Ray, 26 Jun 2009
This review is from: Persepolis [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
`Persepolis' is a simply drawn, yet powerful animation that, mainly in black and white, develops the story using bold silhouettes and simple lines. This film follows Marji as she grows up amidst the turmoil and history of the Iranian revolution. It initially explores the politics of that region at that time, before looking at life in Europe where Marji goes into exile. Finally Marji returns to Iran and you experience the alienation and dissatisfaction she feels as she tried to readjust to Iranian life. As a child Marji is inquisitive and endearing and her sense of independence, although lost at times, is never far below the surface as she grows up. This film has many funny moments that juxtaposes with the sadder themes of the film to make both more resonant and although the film is quite dark and bleak at time, it is important to the overall feel. Saying that, there are numerous small visual touches that add to the humour and charm within this film and make watching it a true delight. Exploring important themes in a charming, eloquent and insightful way, `Persepolis' makes for exceptional animated art and required viewing if you're a fan of the genre.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|