Persepolis (PG-13)

Animated coming-of-age tale is poignant, mature.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
  • Directed By: Marjane Satrapi
  • Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux
  • Running Time: 120 minutes
  • Release Date: 12/25/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/31/1969
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content.

Parents need to know

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 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?

Message

Social Behavior:

Marjane tries to keep her grandmother's promise to be true to herself and to honor her roots despite all the changes going on around her.

Consumerism:

Bruce Lee poster, Bee Gees album, Iron Maiden album, the song `Eye of the Tiger.`

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A suicidal Marjane takes a lot of pills, and Marjane and her parents attend secret parties where the adults tend to get drunk. As a teenager, Marjane drinks and smokes cigarettes and pot/hash. She also drinks and smokes cigarettes as an adult.

Violence

Several characters die, either by firing squad, public hanging, or falling while running from the police. Blood is depicted as black, oozing from a shadowy/black figure. Other scenes portray bombings, revolutionary battles, and dead victims.

Sex

Marjane kisses and hugs a couple of characters and catches a boyfriend in bed with another young woman. She admits that she's not virgin and tells her virgin friends back home that sex is good depending on the guy. Marjane's mother reveals that since it's illegal to execute a virgin, unmarried female prisoners are forced to marry soldiers and have `their virginity taken` first.

Language

Language includes `bastard,` `s--t,` `dick,` and `ass` (dialogue is in French with English subtitles).

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

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?

4
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.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 10 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/27/08 by CrashMagoo66 Kid contributor, age 11

A great movie worth watching

5


Posted on 07/13/08 by brak show345 Kid contributor, age 10

graet movie!!!!!

It's a great animation, but not for young kids.
3

Posted on 07/09/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

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.
Age 13+
4


Posted on 06/29/08 by natashabee Adult contributor

4


Posted on 06/28/08 by <flyboy> Kid contributor, age 14

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.
Age 13+
5

Posted on 05/22/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

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.
5


Posted on 03/24/08 by Airgirl2010 Kid contributor, age 12

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!!!
5

Posted on 02/23/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

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.
4

Posted on 02/16/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

5


Posted on 02/15/08 by Napkin Kid contributor, age 12

See all 10 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

Age 13+
4


Posted on 06/29/08 by natashabee Adult contributor

Age 13+
5

Posted on 05/22/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

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.

Kids Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/27/08 by CrashMagoo66 Kid contributor, age 11

A great movie worth watching

5


Posted on 07/13/08 by brak show345 Kid contributor, age 10

graet movie!!!!!

It's a great animation, but not for young kids.
3

Posted on 07/09/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

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.
4


Posted on 06/28/08 by <flyboy> Kid contributor, age 14

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.
5


Posted on 03/24/08 by Airgirl2010 Kid contributor, age 12

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!!!
5

Posted on 02/23/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

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.
4

Posted on 02/16/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

5


Posted on 02/15/08 by Napkin Kid contributor, age 12

See all 8 kids reviews >
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