Aftermath of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Dramatized in “Persepolis”

Published January 27th, 2008

By Skip Sheffield
STAFF WRITER

Concerned about Iran?

The Academy Award-nominated animated film “Persepolis” shows why all Westerners should be worried about this volatile Middle Eastern nation.

“Persepolis” was the name of the ancient capitol of the Persian Empire, now in ruins, in the country now called Iran.
Also in ruins are the liberties of the Iranian people; particularly those of the female gender.

“Persepolis” is a parable about a rebellious Iranian girl, written by Marjane Satrapi originally in comic book form.
The girl in the movie, directed by Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, is also called Marjane.

Marjane grew up in a liberal, progressive family during the Islamic revolution that overthrew the Shah and instituted strict Muslim government and law enforcement.

The story begins in 1978. Marjane is a feisty 10-year-old tomboy who wears sneakers and beats up bullies. Her world changes at age 10 when suddenly all girls are ordered to wear long, dark robes, keep their head covered and even use different doors than boys to enter school.

One year after the revolution, Iraq began attacks that brought even more repressive rules. When bombs fell on their neighborhood Marjane’s parents decided to send her to a French boarding school.

Marjane isn’t much happier in Europe than Iran. She falls in with rebels and misfits, and through a series of misfortunes is reduced to living on the street.

She returns to Iran and attempts to marry and fit in with the repressive, misogynist society but ultimately fails. Drawn sketchily and mostly in black-and-white, “Persepolis” is a bitter valentine to the country Satrapi once loved, but no longer can live.

Three stars

“Radio Cape Cod” is a small romantic drama likely to interest only New Englanders, having its exclusive world premiere run at the Cobb Downtown in Palm Beach Gardens.

Writer Marta Rainer has created four interlocking romantic stories centered on a radio personality (British actress Tamzin Outhwaite) interviewing the characters,

Shot on location in Woods, Hole, Massachusetts, “Radio Cape Cod,” producer-director Andrew Silver has cast unknowns and obviously worked on a very low budget. The scenery is pretty though.
Call (561) 253-1444 for information.

Two stars

NOTE: “Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains” has been withdrawn from Florida release.