Overview
A poignant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of revolution and exile.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- irreverent
- harrowing
- thoughtful movie night
- world cinema evening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Persepolis as an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical film whose bold black-and-white animation gives personal and political history unusual warmth and style.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Marjane's childhood and young adulthood unfold amid revolution, fundamentalist rule, war, and enforced conformity.
Marjane studies in Vienna, struggles with displacement, and later confronts the changed relationship between herself and Iran.
The film adapts Satrapi's graphic memoir through bold black-and-white hand-drawn images.
Marjane's family hopes for liberation after the Shah's defeat before facing repression under the Islamic Republic.
Films like Persepolis, and why
Waltz with Bashir
autobiographical coming of age drama shaped by political upheaval, exile, and distinctive animation
The Breadwinner
adult animated drama using stylized visuals to confront war, memory, and national trauma
The Namesake
emotionally layered immigrant coming of age story balancing family bonds, cultural displacement, and identity
Movie Details
- Directors
- Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
- Release Date
- 2007-06-27
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (2252)
Cast
- Chiara Mastroianni
- Danielle Darrieux
- Catherine Deneuve
- Simon Abkarian
- Gabrielle Lopes Benites
- François Jérosme
- Tilly Mandelbrot
- Sophie Arthuys
- Arié Elmaleh
- Mathias Mlekuz
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Persepolis about?
- A fiercely individual animated memoir follows an outspoken Iranian girl through revolution, repression, exile, and the difficult search for home.
- What is Persepolis like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Persepolis as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Persepolis violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Persepolis as moderate.
- What did critics think of Persepolis?
- Critics broadly regard Persepolis as an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical film whose bold black-and-white animation gives personal and political history unusual warmth and style.
- Which films are like Persepolis?
- Films with a similar feel include Waltz with Bashir, The Breadwinner, and The Namesake.
- How long is Persepolis?
- Persepolis runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Persepolis?
- In United States, Persepolis streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
