Anonymouse

Persopolis is very funny too.

Don't forget it's very funny too. You'll end up laughing out loud in many parts of it.

Hooligans are in all walks of life and political beliefs.

Mullahs are hooligans too, actually the main hooligans in our story.  Of course Shah's supporters didn't like the revolution, but the vast majority of people had a dream of a better future one way or another.  More freedoms. Most of those dreams were crushed.  Iran Iraq war has so much consequences that it can't be described in a comment or 2.  A look at "martyr" bill boards in every corner and streets named after unknown Shaheeds is just one example.

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I'm not trying to pick a fight with you or anyone else.  Do what you want, see it, don't see it.  I enjoyed it and recommend it highly to everyone else.  I believe the norm of Iranians will enjoy this piece, just like they enjoyed Dae Jan Napoleon.  Except Persopolis is more recent and it is based on the 1979 Revolution generation.

I think you are trying to pick up a fight

BUT, my dear Anon, I won't let you! It is equaly amusing to see that you choose to call Saddam a hooligan but not a mention of any of the mullahs! No, I have not seen the film, but if you had seen the video clip put on this website (satrapi's interview)a few days ago, you wouldn't have asked me this question. so, my friend you are not as well informed as you insist you are, which brings me to the next question: dream what dream? Russion revolution took place in the dying years of the WW1, did The war weary russians abondon their dreams? Now who is hidding his head in the sand?

World without Bee Gees??!!

X- pasdar, again first of all how do you know about Bee Gees in the movie if you haven't seen it? second, how do you know she is showing Iranian as backward people?  Again and again, these are the exact points and plot of the movie that she is fighting AGAINST!  Admitting there are hooligans, does not equal beating an entire race with the same stick.

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There is a difference between a child, a teenager, making a judgement or liking something and then growing out of it and an adult making a judgment.  If she liked Bee Gees or was able to find bootleg American music in Tehran, it was because the bootlegs were sold on the streets DESPITE regime's slogans of we will kill and imprison those who sell or have it.  I find it amusing that you don't see the reality which is out there for everyone to see!

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It's like Oreilly who blasted Edwards for suggesting there are homeless and financialy broken Iraq war veterans.  He said they are not homeless and if there were 1 or 2 homeless, it does not to amount to much.  It was only after 18 thousand Iraqi war veterans signed a petition to say it is true that Oreilly woke up.  Most importantly, does it matter what Oreilly think??!!  Does is matter if someone believes bootleg western music was not widely distributed in Iran?  Does it matter if someone believes alchohol was not made in Iran?  Does ia matter if someone believes the sun does not exist?

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The fact that everyone was proud of revolution in the beginning and had high hopes and dreams is not a secret or far fetched.  It's real.  The fact that bunch of hooligans (including Saddam) used the war to kill the dreams is not a secret either.  That's real too.  You have to show the reality and separate yourself from those who intentionally belittle Iranians as a whole.

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We have to fight oppression one way or another.  Her way is the best way.  Hiding your head in snow like a grouse (kabk) is not the way and it appears that is what you are advocating.

Dear Anonymouse

You obviously missed my point. I WILL NOT see the movie not because of its lack of artistic quality but as matter of principle! I am not going to fill up Satrapi's coffers just because she is greedy for fame and fortune at the cost of showing her countrymen a bunch of backward people. Listening to BeeGees is not a sign of progression.

Nader

You must have many whores in your midst.

To all the jealous oghdeii Islamists

You IRI supporters call any creative and intelligent person a whore. You backward wee Islamo-fascists need to concentrate on your Aaftaabe!! Shomaa ro be honar chi!

To all the jealous oghdeii Islamists

You IRI supporters call any creative and intelligent person a whore. You backward wee Islamo-fascists need to concentrate on your Aaftaabe!! Shomaa ro be honar chi!

Buy the book too!

By the way, the movie is in French with English subtitles. I don't speak French but was actually pleased to have seen it in French.  I had some similar experiences in America and was interesting to see what fate I may have had, had I gone to Europe instead of America.  Same "shit" probably with some variations :-) 

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This is not about religion.  This is about life, freedom and dictatorship and the rest of the stuff that we all know about, but some of us stubbornly try to position ourselves to align with a certain view.  Like Marjane I too respect my family, many of whom are religious. 

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x-pasdar, she has sold her personal identity, sexual and national identity?  I would agree if someone sells any of these 3, she would be considered a whore.  First of all you haven't even seen the movie! So I'm not going to ruin it for you.  Seems like you've shot yourself in the foot before.  Second of all, NOT selling these 3 values is the whole subject and plot of the movie.  See it and then we'll chat.

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For those of you who have read and follow Iranian arts and literature, for me Persopolis is like Daei Jan Napoleon, or as I mentioned like Marmoulak.  Probably more like Dae Jan Napoleon.

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The movie is also not about someone who moved to Europe, it can be the story of any class of people inside and outside Iran.  Our pain is universal and I believe even those who act Islamic and work for this regime in one way or another, feel this pain inside.  Life necessaties just doesn't allow everyone to think and feel free in Iran.  This is yet another point of the movie that comes at you fast.

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There are several class of hooligans that Marjane portarys in this movie.  I'm sure there are many in this website who fit those roles. 

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Some of Dae Jan Napoleon's plots were also about stereotypes.  Its ok to have stereotypes if it is out there and it helps us to puts things in perspective.  She doesn't stereotype anyone, just her life story which is similar to many of us especially many of us who read this website.  If some people fit in those roles (stererotypes) that is not her fault.  You saw it that way and you were not wrong and there is nothing wrong with it either.

> annoying

I saw the movies last summer when it came out in Paris. And I have to say I quite liked it to be honest. But let's face it, this movie is full of stereotypes. The whole message behind it was like ''hey, look at us, we're not all wild fanatic savages ! we're cool, we get laid and smashed''...

The result is, loads of emotions for us exiled, and loads of stereotypes confirmed to westerners.

I have not seen the movie BUT

I agree with Vanaki that she is a whore to the true meaning of the word. Now let me deine what I mean by " A Whore":
A whore is a woman (tradtionally) or a man (unconventionally) who sells her/him self for the right price for the pleasure of others. "Self" covers a vast range of things. One such thing is the identity - any identity be it personal, sexual or national. She has sold ALL THREE in ONE GO! Now is she not a WHORE?

Jamshid has best said it

Nader Vanaki, if you are attacking this movie for being an emotional moslem, Jamshid has best said it on Iranian.com:

"Why can't moslems reply to criticsm with reasoning and argumentation? Is Islam so weak, so shallow, that the only way to defend it is by labeling, suppression and violence?
I definitely think so. Jamshid"

Thanks for the movie review

When I read her book 2 years ago, I was very impressed with her ability to sum up the events of the most crucial time in our recent history in such an eloquent way and from the eyes of a mere teenager...

it's really amazing that the same country has produced such great minds and true talents and yet some pitiful chauvinistic characters like this Mr Vanaki here.

thanks again for your movie review, I can't wait to see it

Define whore.

Define whore and which part led you to believe she was or is a whore?