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Actors:

Catherine Deneuve
Chiara Mastroianni
Danielle Darrieux
Simon Abkarian
Gabrielle Lopes
François Jerosme

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An animation story told of an young Iranian girl growing up just after the Islamic Revolution.

07/15/2009 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Bold Animation and a Story to Match

This is a fantastic film that once again proves my point that animation works as well for adults as it does children. This is a coming-of-age story mixed in with history, politics, war, religion and psychology. Yet despite the subject matter, the story never feels bogged down or preachy.

I'll admit that I'm not too keen on Iranian history. This film probably isn't meant to be a primer, either, but it does give some insight into the background of what happens during the Islamic Revolution. The stark black and white images actually bring a lot of life to the film. It's amazing how expressive it turns out to be. Troops marching in a cloud of smoke against a group of protesters, a night sky littered with bombs and anti-aircraft shells, a conversation with the Almighty and Karl Marx - thes...

Rating of
3.5/4 

10/16/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Greatly Satisfying

This may be an animated film on the outside but don’t let that fool you. This is a heavily political, self-aware, coming of age film that focuses on an inquisitive Iranian girl that turned into a strong Iranian woman. I have to admit that I didn’t understand the politics because I don’t know much about the history of Iran. So, it took me a while to get used to the background of the story. Things really started to pick up when the focus turns to the character; how she had to lose people she loved because of the Islamic Revolution, her immigration to western Europe, her experience with boys, and her eventual return to her home country. I thought this was a very insightful film but the drama wasn’t heavy-handed. In fact, there were a lot of humorous scenes from time to time in order to make ...

Rating of
3/4 

09/03/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

"Star of my life"

::I'm smitten::
This little film as a whole is a simple wonderment in a distinct, pleasant, black and white animation style. It is delightful, despite the heavy concept and complex issues that it deals with along the way.

The character of Marjane interestingly improves in the transfer from comic book to the screen as she narrates her life, and discovery of her self-identity. This emergence of an independent, music loving, deep thinking artist - who went through outside and inner hardships to get there - is something that strikes a chord with many, including me. I strongly identified with the social awkwardness, urgency to rebel, family bond/pride...even her reaction to a mega-heartbreak, including her hazy depression - and the use of a pump-up song to help get you back on your feet...

Rating of
3.5/4 

03/02/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

A creative and personal look at a horrifying event

A fine animated film, something which is in very short supply nowadays, and a wonderfully creative look at growing up in a turbulent country. The animation is especially creative considering that most of it is in black and white. My main complaint is that it drags a bit in the second half.

Rating of
3/4