Persepolis, the movie.

[kandrathe]

I recently saw this, the original french voices with subtitles version. Based on the comic (and based on the author's experience.) It's about a young girl growing up in Iran during the 1979 revolution. While it does deal with specifics, it's really quite timeless and universal in a way.

Mostly done in black and white traditional animation, with some minor CGI tweaks, it's visually one of the most beautiful film I've ever seen. In my not so humble opinion, 'Persepolis' is to animation as 'Maus' is to comics.

It's not all doom and gloom serious though, it's got a wicked sense of humour about it and loads of charm. I find it real hard to dislike a brat who rocks out with her tennis racket as a guitar to a bootlegged tape of Iron Maiden.

What with the recent sabre rattling, and Ahmadineejad's crazy rantings given more legitimacy and importance than it's due, this film gives a much needed reminder that there are important differences between people. But there are equally important similarities between them.

But again, it's not all doom and gloom. There are moments in it where it's incredibly uplifting.
(Spoiler alert)
You might not hear 'Eye of the Tiger' quite the same way again.
Definitely one of my favourite parts of the film, among many.

5 Michael Jackson buttons out of 5 from me.

I'm reading Ahmadinejad: The Secret History of Iran's Radical Leader by Kasra Naji

Amazon link

P.S. I'm also thinking about getting Al Mahdi and the End of Time by Muhammad Ibn