If you let your kids watch any movie just because it's animated, then you're ridiculous. Think I'm lying? Just watch this. This is a challenging, yet rewarding film mainly set in Iran, focusing on the author, Marjane Satrapi's childhood, teendom, and adulthood. The film doesn't shy away from the important political and moral issues surrounding these issues, but it's all the better for that reason. In conclusion, this film may be a bit hard to swallow at times, and is definitely not a kids' film, but it is still great.
Persepolis
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Animated coming-of-age tale is poignant, mature.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–15
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Persepolis was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that although this film -- an adaptation of graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi's critically acclaimed memoir about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution -- is animated, it's aimed at adults. There are many references to the atrocities (mostly executions and bombings) of life before, during, and after the revolution. Several scenes involve secret parties during which secular Iranians drink and smoke; as a teenager living in Europe, Marjane also drinks, smokes, tries hash, and sleeps with two guys (at one point, feeling suicidal, she also takes lots of pills). If teens are interested, they'll learn a lot about the harsh realities of life in an oppressive culture. It's worth noting that there are two versions of the film: The original is in French with subtitles; the other is dubbed in English.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about how "the West" is portrayed in the film. Why is American pop culture banned in Iran? What makes it threatening? How is Marjane's family different? How does Marjane "betray" her heritage once she's abroad? What did you learn about Iranian history and culture from the film? Do you think that animation was an effective way to tell Marjane's story? How would it have been different if it was live action?
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More on Persepolis
What’s the Story?
Based on writer-director Marjane Satrapi's award-winning graphic novel, PERSEPOLIS closely follows her life as she comes of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Narrated by Chiara Mastroianni as the adult Marjane, the alternatingly funny and heartbreaking story chronicles how Marjane's immediate family kept their ideals under increasingly oppressive regimes.
Is It Any Good?
Like Art Spiegelman's seminal Holocaust-themed graphic novel Maus, Persepolis explains history from the point of view of one family, and in particular, Marjane herself -- from grade-schooler to young adult. The secular, educated Satrapis survive as loved ones are imprisoned, tortured, and executed -- first under the Shah and later under the Islamic revolutionaries. Throughout the years, Marjane is drawn to Western popular culture from Bruce Lee and Bee Gees to Iron Maiden and the Rocky III anthem "Eye of the Tiger" -- even though it's forbidden to own any unapproved books or music.
Marjane's grounding force is her rebellious grandma (voiced by Danielle Darrieux), who makes the girl promise not to lose sight of her family's progressive beliefs and the reasons why her beloved uncle and countless others have died. But sometimes Marjane can't help acting tad immature -- even reckless. That's what makes the film so touching: Amid cultural repression, Marjane, her family, and their close friends still manage to find small ways to subvert authority. And thanks to the regular doses of adolescent humor, this distinctly Iranian tale becomes a universal story anyone can appreciate.
Movie Details
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics, Director: Marjane Satrapi
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2007, DVD release: 6/24/2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content.
Run time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2007, DVD release: 6/24/2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content.
Our Members Say
See all 11 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A great film! Wow, that heading, sucks
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
A great movie worth watching
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
graet movie!!!!!
It's a great animation, but not for young kids.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great Animated Movie
Persepolis is interesting in its description of war through a child's eyes. Its a great movie and the animation is cool.
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
How this got away with a PG-13 rating is mind-boggling.
Persepolis is definitely not a kids film. Don't let the animation and story fool you. If you take your kids to see this boy would you be mad. The sexual content is bad. There is no explicit nudity. But very explicit sexual references throughout that aren't PG-13 material. The language is really iffy and kind of a big issue there is sexual references and graphic swearing. The drugs is the worst part. Throughout teens are smoking and drinking. Overall this is not a kids film and how this got away with a PG-13 rating is mind-boggling this is easily an R rated film.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Best Movie Ever
This movie is funny and teaches you about the history of Iran at the same time! It lets us see how war , strife and misjudged politics can change a life. Think of what would had happened if Marjane stayed in Iran and there wasn't any strife. Her life would be very diffrent. And of course , the movie might have not existed because she would have had a normal life.....anyway..GREAT MOVIE!! WORTH WATCHING!!!
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Amazing
I really loved this movie, and the books. It does have some language and Marjane smokes a lot towards the end. If it's ok with your parents you should definitely see this.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
a fantastic film for teens & adults
This is an amazing film, and I highly recommend it for older teens & adults. The sex, violence, & drug/alcohol use are perfectly appropriate (not gratuitous) within the context of the film. It is a stunningly smart film, and viewers will learn about modern Iranian history & culture. The movie's depiction of the girl's emotional growth & development of personal courage & perseverance is beautiful to watch and inspiring. The family relationships are very positive, which is refreshing in a movie these days. I wouldn't call it an uplifting film, due to some tragic content, but it is powerful, and I enjoyed every minute watching it.
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