 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Persepolis
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Animated coming-of-age tale is poignant, mature.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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.
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.
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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
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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AGE
I am a 10 year old girl. I love this movie. Last night I stayed up to watch it. I have been watching it with my 7 year old brother since 2008. I love this movie.
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AGE
A great film! Wow, that heading, sucks
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.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Director: | Marjane Satrapi |
| Cast: | Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 25, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | June 24, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature thematic material including violent images, sexual references, language and brief drug content. |
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