Iran protests Persepolis at Cannes

By Rob Maguire, May 24, 2007 Comments (2)

A film adaptation of Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi's acclaimed autobiographical comic about growing up in the midst of the Iranian revolution, drew the ire of Iran's government after premiering in the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week. The government affiliated Iran Farabi Foundation sent a letter of protest to the French government over the animated movie, which is taking part in Cannes' main competition.

For her part, Satrapi, 37, was unfazed. Although she declined to respond directly to the government's complaints, she told reporters at a press conference that she accepted all criticism as doing so was simply part of living in a cultural that allows people to speak freely. "I believe in freedom of expression and freedom of speech," she said. "I simply accept that as part of the exposure."

Also on Art Threat:
Persepolis is piognant, sad, extremely funny, and has the best cover of "Eye of the Tiger" ever captured on film