Persepolis

It was the first time I came across with a animate movie with such interesting storyline. The movie, "Persepolis" really touches my heart even it is only presented in a very simple back and white sketched animation.

After watching this movie, it reminds me all the stories I've heard about Iran. Stories from different sources, such as internet, magazines and friends. I was already aware about the political and religion issues held in Iran as I watch the movie.

In "Presepolis", the main character, Marjane Satrapi faces political climate changes in her country and how she went through with it. In this movie, I see a strong character standing up for herself creating freedom and tries to free herself by getting out of the country.

When Marjane was small, she has witnessed all sorts of drastic doings by the government and how her loved ones was took away because of war and political issue. In certain extent, it actually triggers my emotions, how could a country be peaceful with such government organization?! Is the acts being done are right? In my own point of view, it is such a sin to punish people who are just fighting for the right of freedom and peace. All the people in the country wants is a peaceful life and no more deaths for war.

Revolutions which occur in the years of 1980s brings high influence to Marjane who was just a small kid and all the issues she was facing could never be understand by me. She lives in under such law and regulation and everyday seems to be dangerous. As she grew up, Marjane was sent to overseas for study because of her strong character of fighting against the law by starting to challenge lecturers in class. She was brave enough to raise her voice on all the issue she disagreed but instead she got herself into trouble. There were so many examples of how people were treated when they go against the government. First it was her uncle who was sentenced to death as he fight for the right for people and go against the useless emperor. And then it was this random girl that Marjane bump into while following her father to meet someone on doing a fake passport. The girl was to be said involved is a group against the government and was sentenced to death. According to their law, virgins are not allowed for death sentence. In such case, she was raped by a random man and hang to death. It shocks me and I would like to stand up to ask, what type of law is this?! Women are being treated as such way as if they are not human? What wrong does she deserve to get rape as in their country, virginity stands a high position?

To care for Marjane's safety before she runs in into another problem, she was sent to Vienna. It was shown how she was stereotype by other people as she starts her new life studying there. Slowly, she begins to disown her own identity as a Iranian. I do understand her as I know living as a foreigner, is not easy to be accept by others. But thank god she later got over with it and shows the true colour of being proud as a Iranian.

In Vienna, she was having a life she would never have in Iran. Her life was encountering all sort of changes term by term and when she lastly fall and couldn't bare the life style there anymore, she thought of her family. She was dumped by her boyfriend and in her mind of view, she has lost everything.

After she returned home, she met someone and fall in love. In a very short time, they got married and the marriage didn't turn out well after about a year. She was encourage for a divorce as it was not well accepted by people in their country but I think she did the right choice. Everyone deserve to have the right on deciding their life, including marriage. I do admire her grandmother's character portrayed in the film, the courage in her was well respected. She inspires me that all of us have to choose our own path and stepping on other people to get away from trouble is not the right thing to do.

I have understand more about Iran revolution after watching the movie. Is not only about how does the revolution affects the country but also each and everyones' life. Our pathways are not decided by others but ourselves.