Persepolis Film

Persepolis is yet another case of a book to movie adaptation of which the movie just fails to do the novel any justice. This is the case with almost every book to movie adaptations that I can think of (exception: The Road). There were many differences between the film and the novel of Persepolis. The most obvious difference is just how many parts the movie leaves out. Particularly the drug selling and use of which I felt had been very important in the novel. Even some of the parts that were covered, did not have enough time devoted to them and the full impact of these events were never focused upon in the film. Such as how before she returns to Iran, the film makes it seem like she is just upset over breaking up with Markus. But in the book, that only began the depression that she entered which was mainly focused on how upset she was for herself for disappointing her parents and not becoming who she was supposed to.

I just feel that the film and novel had different messages. In the novel, she really wanted to show her perspective of Iran to the world. The film does not seem to focus on this idea nearly as much and Iran is still somewhat presented in a similar way to the stereotypes and the film lacks any kind of introduction about Iran like the book contains. I think Satrapi should have just stuck with the novel since she was not able to convey her ideas fully through the film.

Ryan Adams