Chiara Mastroianni

What’s unusual about this hand-drawn animated feature from France is that it tells an adult story from a child’s point-of-view. With the aid of French graphic artist Vincent Paronnaud, Iranian/French auteur Marjane Satrapi boldly details her very personal autobiography. Filmed primarily in stark black-and-white, except for brief scenes in color, it’s a monochromatic, simplistic narrative which delves into contemporary political history, including war, torture and execution. Persepolis is a stylized, sensitive 7, an often comic, yet heart-breaking, outspoken portrait of a young girl and a nation in turmoil.

What’s unusual about this hand-drawn animated feature from France is that it tells an adult story from a child’s point-of-view.