Motion Picture Novel

"The Complete Persepolis" was an enlightening book that displayed the harsh conditions in which Marjane Satrapi had to endure while growing up the Middel East. To read about the events that took place was one thing, but to actually view it in movie format helped to bring more life to the story. The characters are now given a voice and can represent their feelings in a more direct demonstration opposed to the novel. The movie itself seems more interesting and eventful, and really allows for Satrapi's character to be more clear. The actions taken forth by many of the characters bring more raw emotion and allow for the events in the story to be expressed with greater detail. The horrible actions that took place in Satrapi's country really show that her life was full of twists and turns, and it must have been hard to endure the strict limitations that were placed upon the woman such as always wearing a veil in public. The military factions and the jailing of innocent people were terrible situations in which Satrapi dealt with on a regular basis. I cannot even fathom having to witness something like that each and everyday. I think the movie does these events justice, because it actually shows what happens with sound and detail, rather than simply reading it and not understanding what is happening.

Upon viewing the film, I noticed that all the events that took place in her early childhood were in black and white. I thought this was interesting, because it showed how long ago Satrapi's childhood must seem to her, like looking at photographs of one's grandparents from the 1930s. She seemed to grow up so fast only leaving her past behind with memories of the war and the death and destruction that had embodied that portion of her life. As she grew older, the film transitioned to color, thereby representing the present day, and almost like it was a fresh new start to her life. Her present life is free from war and the military that had destroyed much of her early childhood. She is now an adult woman and ready to start a new chapter in her life.
(David Roberts, Post 23)