Book to Film: Persepolis

Book to Film:

Persepolis

     Before I begin my analysis of the book and film adaptation of Marjane Satrapis graphic novel Persepolis, let it be known that going into the film, I did not realize that it covered both the original book and its sequel. This means that I can really only analyze the first part of the movie because I have not read the book that is attached to the second half. Having known this before starting the movie I would have done things differently, alas it is too late to go back.

            Persepolis is a French film based on an autobiographical graphic novel written by an Iranian woman named Marjane Satrapi. Persepolis (book one) tells the story of Marjane’s childhood during the Islamic revolution and what it’s like to be a child growing up in a place where your life is in almost constant peril. The movie tells the same story, only it also takes from the second book about her young adulthood in Europe and her return to Iran. Of course, I will only be talking about the first part of the movie, as I have not read the second book, as it says above.

    The Book

            Persepolis is a rare kind of book. It is both a comic and an autobiography. It uses images to tell its story but it also has a lot of very political dialogue. It is not something you see everyday. It’s an interesting concept and it just about works in its context. That being said the most interesting thing about Persepolis is its perspective. Instead of getting your usual American point of view on Iranian culture you see the story through the eyes of a woman who has lived it, and therefore it is more real and true. It is also a coming of age tale. It’s all about Marjane finding out who she is in a world of black and white ideals and conflicting views. The book is a great many things, but above all it is a great read.

   The Film

            The film version of Persepolis is a fairly accurate adaptation of the original text. This is not surprising as the author of the book directs the film, along with another person named Vincent Paronnaud. It only leaves out a few minor details, characters, and events that are unimportant in the scheme of things. The story, spirit, and art of the film translate very well onto the big screen, or at least the part I read. As far as animation goes this is top quality. This can also be applied to foreign film as well.

   The Verdict

            Persepolis the book and Persepolis the film are both very well done and very important. It’s hard to say which is better in this instance because of the similarity between the two. Although, if I had to choose one, I would go with the film version.

-       The Book: 8/10

-       The Film: 9/10