Ever since I heard that Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel Persepolis has been made into a movie, I eagerly wanted to see it. Well, today I saw it. Sadly, not in a movie theatre but on my laptop’s screen in its original, French version with English subtitles.

Closely based on her simply, but powerfully illustrated books, the film tells the autobiographical tale of Satrapi’s who grew up as a child of a progressive/socialist family in the days of the “Islamic revolution” of Iran in the 1970. The film takes us through her rebellious teenage years during the period of the 1980’s war between Iran and Iraq and the atmosphere of increasing repression that engulfed Iran, her difficult life experiences in Europe after her family sends her away to live there away from the repression of her country, her return to the Iran of the early 90’s to attend college and finally her departure to France.

It’s a very personal story and a family history, set against a background of political upheaval, religious fanatism and war. It reflects the author’s/directors reaction to her changing cultural contexts, both in her country of origin and in Europe and her grappling with uprootedness and questions of identity.

It’s a unique film in more than one one way. It won the Cannes Grand Jury award and is being nominated for an Oscar.

Ah yes, it’s also been banned in Iran.