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Persepolis is a stunning and powerful animated film from the mind of Marjane Satrapi, a graphic novelist hailing from Iran. Based on her own autobiographical comic book series, the film follows the tumultuous journey of a young girl growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution of the late 1970s and 1980s. The film is a poignant and personal coming-of-age story, as we see the protagonist Marjane (voiced by Chiara Mastroianni) struggle to navigate the changing political and social landscape of her country. The film presents a vivid and detailed portrayal of life in Tehran during this period, showcasing the joys and dangers of living in a city struggling to find its identity.

Marjane is a precocious and outspoken child, raised in a family that values education and political activism. She is deeply affected by the events of the revolution, which bring both hope and fear to her community. We see her grapple with questions of identity, gender, and religion, as she tries to understand the world around her.

The cast of Persepolis is truly remarkable, featuring some of the most talented and respected actors in the world. Catherine Deneuve, one of France's most beloved actresses, plays Marjane's mother, a fiercely independent woman who is torn between her love for her daughter and her fear for her safety. Gena Rowlands, an American icon of cinema, lends her voice to Marjane's grandmother, a proud and fiery matriarch who refuses to let the revolution break her spirit.

The animation style of Persepolis is an integral part of the film's power and beauty. Satrapi's comic book style is brought to life on screen through an innovative blend of hand-drawn animation and digital techniques. The result is a visually stunning film that is both gritty and whimsical, capturing the contradictions and complexities of life in Iran during this period.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its honesty about the failures of the revolution. Marjane's disillusionment with the new government is palpable, as she witnesses the corruption and oppression that follow in the wake of the revolution's triumph. Yet the film never loses sight of the hope and courage of the Iranian people, who continue to resist and fight for their freedom.

Persepolis is a deeply moving and inspiring film, one that speaks to the universality of the human experience in the face of adversity. Its message is one of hope and resilience, as Marjane learns to embrace her identity and find her place in the world. This film is a triumph of storytelling and animation, one that deserves to be seen and celebrated by audiences around the globe.

Persepolis is a 2007 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 90.