Persepolis

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Persepolis has been an enjoyable read. While i have heard a lot of the movie i still haven't watched it and on the recommendation of a friend picked up the book. It's an autobiography of the author Marjane Satrapi who is an Iranian and shares her growing up years with the readers in the first book and then her return to her country in the later years in the second book. While many would think that it is probably no great shakes as we have seen many such books written by or written about so many women from that region but what makes this book different from the rest is that the format of expression which is illustrations or comic strip style in itself is very sweet and different. Also in a very simplistic manner, i thought i could read a very honest and balanced point of view of the author of both her country and then later on Austria where she studied. Her exposure to various mix of westernization in her country to going to being a religious fundamentalist country to her moving out of the country and getting exposed to western culture yet again. All the mixed and the genuine reactions or agonies or surprises that we all go through our growing up years.

The fact that it is illustrated makes it an extremely fast and smooth read and also breaks the monotony of reading heavy handed autobiographies. Instead here is a very simplistic way of expressing and also informing the world about Iran from an insiders perspective who has seen both the worlds.

The next step is to watch the movie as well.


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Weekend Movies!!

Spent the weekend chilling with a bunch of friends at one of their places. was a mad weekend.. one of the things we did was watch movies..here's 3 of them that i would recommend incase you havent already seen them...

1. APOCALYPTO - Its a movie directed by Mel Gibson.Brilliantttttttttttttt.. I would say u need BALLS to make a film like that.. Its Gory but man its some vision and so well executed with a perfection. When the Mayan Kingdom faces its decline, their only shot to sustaining and bringing back their prosperity they think is human sacrifice to their gods. Jaguar Paw, a young man captured for this sacrifice flees to avoid his fate.Its just mind blowing but for the weak hearted this one can make you feel dizzy. its all blood and gore.


2. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM - How the lives of four people spiral out of control due to their addiction to drugs. Its a Trippy movie.. love the music, and how the director visually represents the druggy hallucinated mind. WARNING : can be quiet a depressing movie because its quiet dark. try and detach oneself and watch it. It tends to have an effect on your mind.


3. BHEJA FRY - out and out laughter riot. Vinay Pathak at his ultimate best.. its a crazy flick and in the true essence of the film title vinay pathak manages to just about do that(fry your bheja in a good way that is). you really do feel glad that u dont have to tolerate someone like that in real life..I love Vinay Pathak. He is just too brilliant.

also offhand can think of TRAIN SPOTTING if u liked requiem. Another crazy flick.