Persepolis (2007) is a striking animated film directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, based on Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. The film blends personal narrative and political history, telling the story of a young woman growing up during and after the Iranian Revolution. It’s bold, emotional, and full of dark humor, mixing the intimate with the historical in a beautifully human way.
Detailed Summary
Childhood in Revolutionary Iran
The story begins in the late 1970s, with young Marjane “Marji” Satrapi growing up in Tehran. She is outspoken, imaginative, and fascinated by politics—her family being educated and politically active against the Shah’s regime. Through a child’s eyes, we witness the downfall of the Shah and the initial optimism surrounding the Iranian Revolution.
However, the joy quickly turns sour when the new Islamic Republic takes power, imposing strict religious laws and oppressing dissent. Marji watches her family’s friends and relatives get imprisoned, executed, or exiled. Her uncle Anoosh, a political dissident she deeply admires, becomes a key emotional figure—his eventual arrest and execution by the regime devastate her.
Adolescence and the Burden of Freedom
As the Iran-Iraq war intensifies, life in Tehran becomes increasingly oppressive. Women are forced to wear veils, Western culture is banned, and fear dominates daily life. Marji, being rebellious and outspoken, constantly clashes with authority.
Her parents, fearing for her safety, decide to send her to Vienna to continue her education. This decision marks the start of Marjane’s journey into exile—a defining theme of the movie.
Life in Vienna: Identity and Alienation
In Austria, Marji faces cultural shock, loneliness, and prejudice. At first, she enjoys the newfound freedom—music, relationships, and self-expression—but soon realizes that Western society has its own hypocrisies. Despite escaping oppression, she feels like an outsider everywhere she goes.
Her life spirals as she deals with failed relationships, poverty, and homelessness. In one powerful sequence, she nearly dies on the streets after collapsing from illness and despair.
Return to Iran
Marjane eventually returns to Iran, longing for familiarity and family. However, home no longer feels like home. The country has changed, and so has she. Under the continued rule of the Islamic regime, women are still forced to cover up, and political repression persists.
She enrolls in art school, where students secretly rebel through creative expression. Still, Marji’s frustration grows as she struggles with censorship and societal expectations. Her marriage ends in divorce, further alienating her from her surroundings.
Movie Ending
In the film’s emotional finale, Marjane decides to leave Iran for good. Her mother encourages her to live freely, even though it breaks her heart. In a deeply symbolic farewell, Marjane takes a taxi to the airport—echoing her earlier departure as a teenager. This time, however, it’s a permanent goodbye.
As the plane takes off, she reflects on everything she’s left behind: her family, her country, her identity. When she lands in Paris, she introduces herself to the customs officer as “Marjane Satrapi, from Iran.” It’s a simple line that carries immense weight—she may have left Iran, but she carries it within her forever.
The ending captures the painful duality of exile: liberation mixed with loss. Marjane gains freedom but loses the sense of belonging she’s always sought. The last shot, a quiet moment of reflection, perfectly encapsulates the film’s bittersweet tone.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Persepolis does not include any post-credits scenes. The movie ends on a poignant note, and the credits roll over a simple black background—fitting for a film that values introspection over spectacle.
Type of Movie
Persepolis is a biographical animated drama with strong elements of coming-of-age and political history. It’s both deeply personal and universally relatable, blending memoir, satire, and social commentary through striking black-and-white animation.
Cast
- Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane Satrapi (French version)
- Catherine Deneuve as Marjane’s Mother
- Danielle Darrieux as Marjane’s Grandmother
- Simon Abkarian as Marjane’s Father
- Sean Penn, Iggy Pop, and Gena Rowlands voice characters in the English version
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Olivier Bernet, blending Persian musical influences with melancholic orchestral tones. The soundtrack also includes iconic Western tracks that reflect Marji’s rebellious streak, such as songs by Iron Maiden and The Bee Gees, symbolizing her defiance and love of Western culture.
Filming Locations
Although animated, the film’s art direction draws heavily from Iranian urban landscapes, especially 1970s and 1980s Tehran. The animation style was created at Je Suis Bien Content studios in France, with artistic direction based on Satrapi’s original graphic novel. The monochrome design emphasizes contrast—between freedom and oppression, childhood innocence and adult disillusionment.
Awards and Nominations
- Cannes Film Festival (2007): Jury Prize Winner
- Academy Awards (2008): Nominated for Best Animated Feature
- BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Animated Film
- César Awards (France): Won Best First Film and Best Adapted Screenplay
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Marjane Satrapi personally co-directed the film to preserve its authenticity.
- She initially resisted turning her book into a movie but changed her mind when she realized animation could capture the tone of her drawings.
- The decision to keep the film black-and-white was intentional, meant to preserve the simplicity and rawness of the original comic.
- Voice recording sessions between Deneuve and Mastroianni (mother and daughter in real life) gave the mother-daughter scenes additional emotional depth.
Inspirations and References
Persepolis is based on Satrapi’s own graphic novel, inspired by her childhood and experiences of political turmoil, exile, and identity crisis. The storytelling draws from Iran’s historical revolution and the universal struggles of displacement and cultural duality.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no confirmed alternate endings, but early versions of the script reportedly included a brief post-arrival scene in Paris where Marjane begins sketching her memories, symbolizing the creation of her graphic novel. It was ultimately removed to let the story end with emotional finality.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is a faithful adaptation of Satrapi’s two-volume graphic novel, though some sequences are shortened or merged for pacing. The film softens certain violent moments and adds more humor and warmth to balance the heavy political themes. The overall tone remains true to the source—intimate, candid, and visually poetic.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Marjane’s conversation with her uncle Anoosh before his execution.
- The scene where she yells at God to leave her alone, symbolizing her spiritual crisis.
- Her first rebellious act of buying an illegal Iron Maiden cassette.
- The final airport farewell with her mother.
Iconic Quotes
- “Freedom has a price.”
- “The revolution is like a bicycle. When the wheels don’t turn, it falls.”
- “It’s fear that makes us lose our conscience.”
- “I am not a Western woman. I am Iranian.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- In one scene, young Marji imagines herself talking to Karl Marx and God—a nod to the blend of ideology and faith in her upbringing.
- The visual style subtly changes as Marji grows up—the lines become sharper, symbolizing loss of innocence.
- The airport farewell mirrors a similar panel from the final pages of the graphic novel, recreated frame by frame.
Trivia
- Persepolis was banned in Iran and several Middle Eastern countries for its political content.
- It is one of the few animated films ever nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes.
- The film’s budget was relatively modest, around $7 million, yet it achieved global critical acclaim.
- French First Lady Carla Bruni praised the film publicly for its artistic courage.
Why Watch?
Persepolis is not just an animated film—it’s a deeply human story of growing up amid chaos, questioning authority, and finding one’s identity in a world that demands conformity. It’s perfect for viewers who appreciate powerful storytelling, history, and emotional honesty.
Director’s Other Movies
- Chicken with Plums (2011)
- The Voices (2014)
- Radioactive (2019)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Waltz with Bashir (2008)
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
- The Breadwinner (2017)
- The Wind Rises (2013)
- A Separation (2011)
