Persepolis

Homage to Marjane Satrapi (1969-2026)

Marjane is a spirited, outspoken girl growing up in Iran during the turbulent Islamic Revolution. Clever and fearless, she outsmarts the “social guardians” and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden.

Yet when her uncle is executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war, the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable. As she gets older, Marjane’s boldness causes her parents to worry over her continued safety. And so, at age fourteen, they make the difficult decision to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land, she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager. In addition, Marjane has to combat being equated with the religious fundamentalism and extremism she fled her country to escape.

Persepolis, which Marjane Satrapi adapted – with co-director Vincent Paronnaud - from her own autobiographical graphic novel, is poignant and captivating. It is as witty as young Marjane was. An unstoppable force of nature.

The film broke new ground for adult-themed biographical animation and provided a rare, intimate counter-narrative to Western stereotypes about Iran.

The repeat screening (Wed Nov 18) will be presented by UCC lecturer in Sociology Mastoureh Fathi.

In French language with subtitles

This screening is supported by the French Embassy in Ireland.