We can say enough good thing about “Persepolis,”the animated feature film adapted from the graphic novels of Marjane Satrapi (her four graphic novels, altogether have sold over one million copies throughout the world; together with Vincent Paronnaud, she also co-wrote and co-directed the film).
Don’t listen to us though, the film won the 2007 Cannes Festival Jury Prize and is the official French entry for “Best Foreign Film” at the 2008 Academy Awards (jumping right over the animated category; this is a big deal).
As we’ve said in our review, the film – about a child (Satrapi) that lived through the 1979 Islamic Revolution and its aftermath – isn’t exactly an easy sell on the outside, but it’s a charming, heartfelt, funny and wonderful story and one of the best films we’ve seen all year.
The score was composed by Olivier Berne (of the band Shunatao which co-director Paronnaud plays in) vary from Iranian disco music and discreet piano ballads to orchestrations that are slightly far-Eastern or in the style of Serge Gainsbourg. The 24 track soundtrack disc is due January 15, 2008 on Caroline/EMI, Some of which can be heard on the “Persepolis” myspace page. The offbeat version of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” sung by one of the film’s voice talents Chiara Mastroianni (the daughter of Catherine Deneueve – who also lends her voice to the film – and Marcello Mastroianni, is one of the album’s highlights and conveys the films charms.
The American version of this film (i.e. no subtitles and dubbing instead) will feature Iggy Pop and Sean Penn as the voices of the two male leads. But it remains unclear which version will be shown when it opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 25th (we’re pretty sure the proper subtitled version, with the DVD and or heartland markets getting the dubbed version).
What’s Shunatao sound like? “It’s a bit hard [to describe], because we released seven albums, and from one album to the next, the music changed drastically. Let’s say it’s rock, with some blues, jazz, and electro,” Berne said. When asked to do compose the score his bandmate gave him simple principles to go by. “Vincent’s instructions were clear: no world music, nothing too overtly oriental. He told me: “Don’t pretend you’re Peter Gabriel, just do what you do best.”
Do your brain and soul a favor and see “Persepolis” this holiday season. And fyi, the New York Times had a good introductory interview with Satrapi a few weeks ago that’s worth reading.
Watch: “Persepolis” trailer