Plot Summary

Persepolis brings to the screen the coming-of-age story of a young girl growing up during the Iranian Islamic Revolution. Blending sharp political observation with humor and emotional depth, the film transforms a turbulent historical period into a deeply personal animated narrative.

After the fall of the Shah, young Marjane (Chiara Mastroianni) and her family celebrate in the streets, believing that a democratic future is finally within reach. Yet their hopes quickly give way to a darker reality as fundamentalists seize power, forcing women to wear veils and imprisoning thousands who oppose the regime. The atmosphere of fear and repression gradually reshapes everyday life in Iran.

The story begins when Marjane is nine years old, at the moment when the country is entering one of its most restrictive eras. Concerned for her safety and future, her parents eventually send her to Europe. There, Marjane struggles with exile, identity, and loneliness while navigating adolescence far from home. Her journey continues into adulthood as she attempts to reconcile her Iranian roots with the complex world she encounters abroad.

Adapted from the award-winning graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, the film was written and directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud. Persepolis received the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The French voice cast includes Catherine Deneuve as Marjane’s mother, Danielle Darrieux as her grandmother, Simon Abkarian as her father, and Chiara Mastroianni as Marjane. The film’s music was composed by Olivier Bernet.