I'm not being hyperbolic when I make the claim that I believe Marjane Satrapi is one of the most creative and intelligent independent graphic novelists currently active. Her simplistic, flat drawing style can conjure up any emotion from joy to terror, and her stories are often both humorous and touching. Because of this, I carried high expectations going into Embroideries, only to ultimately end up disappointed when I discovered that it was little more than a sparse example of "chick lit."

The story centers around Satrapi's observations of the women in her family as they sit around after a meal discussing sex, love, and marriage. However, the talks quickly devolve, for the most part, into vitriolic and toxic depictions of men and their behavior. Satrapi has proven time and time again that she is a consummate, evocative storyteller with a slew of intriguing source material straight from her own life, and I am baffled as to why she elected to illustrate this particular scene. The comic has its moments of insight and entertainment, but for the most part relies too heavily on the tired clichés that often plague literature targeted towards women. Men are frequently presented as a common enemy, the cruel or illicit actions of a few swelling to reflect upon the many. Cosmetic surgery is glorified as the most effective method of securing a husband's attention. And most of the stock contemporary female archetypes are present as well - the worldly artist liberated by her trips abroad, the obedient, sheltered wife, and the silent neighbor with a tragic secret all make appearances here.

For all of its weaknesses, Embroideries is not entirely without strengths, either. The Iranian setting injects concepts into the story that are unfamiliar to "Western" audiences, therefore adding an element of cultural curiousity. While the majority of opinions and attitudes presented seem to be assumed as universal amongst women (they're not), there are a few snapshots of distinct differences that prevent it from forever sinking into the same quagmire as the insipid works of Meg Cabot or Sophie Kinsella. Iranian attitudes towards a woman's virginity is a prominant theme in Embroideries, and because most women in America or Europe cannot relate to the desperation that leads to the titular procedure (which involves the "restoration" of the hymen with a few strategic stitches), Satrapi provides for them a glimpse into the machinations and nuances of her own society.

Though I was not terribly impressed with the work as a whole, I believe what renders it distinct from other women's literature is the undercurrent of helplessness common to each character's memories. Women in contemporary American or European literature are limited only by their grating insecurities and personal issues, whereas women in Iran still find themselves subservient to a patriarchal system. I got the impression that the only means through which the central characters of Embroideries could cope with their experiences is this private discussion. A far cry from having the freedom to whine about your boyfriend's XBOX with the girls over margaritas, or telling yourself you need a new pair of designer pumps because that cute guy in your pilates class is totally married.

Bibliographical Information

Satrapi, Marjane. Embroideries. Trans. Anjali Singh. New York: Pantheon, 2005.

Further Reading

As I said earlier, Marjane Satrapi is a gifted, mesmerizing graphic novelist. Though Embroideries is saved only by the silent underpinnings of cultural subjugation that prevent it from tumbling headfirst into the empty pit of "chick lit" despair, her autobiographical Persepolis frequently involves the same theme, but depicts it in a far more intriguing - often shocking - manner. Likewise, in Chicken With Plums, Satrapi steps back from the forefront to relate a story from her family as she does in Embroideries. Centering on her uncle, it is a quieter, more tragic tale that does not rely on popular conventions to make the narrative flow.

~Riot

This may be an animated film on the outside but don't let that fool you. This is a heavily political, self-aware, coming of age film that focuses on an inquisitive Iranian girl that turned into a strong Iranian woman. I have to admit that I didn't understand the politics because I don't know much about the history of Iran. So, it took me a while to get used to the background of the story. Things really started to pick up when the focus turns to the character; how she had to lose people she loved because of the Islamic Revolution, her immigration to western Europe, her experience with boys, and her eventual return to her home country. I thought this was a very insightful film but the drama wasn't heavy-handed. In fact, there were a lot of humorous scenes from time to time in order to make the story a little lighter. I could relate with the main character's rebellion even though I didn't go through the same things she did, whether it's hanging out with people who are outsiders themselves or immersing herself with hard rock music. Her most sensitive episodes when she came to be embarrassed of who she is and where she came from is not far from what I had experienced when I had to assimilate when I was new in America. This really is an impressive not-so-ordinary animated film because it aims to bring down barriers: that animated movies are mainly for children. I must also give kudos to Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi for writing and directing this good-hearted picture. I also admired the voice-over of the main character by Chiara Mastroianni. I enthusiastically recommend this movie because it's something different and it really does have a great message about our relationship with our cultural identities.

Counterfeiters, The (2007)
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]

I thought I've already seen all the kinds of stories about the concentration camps in World War II so this movie really surprised me. This is the first time I've seen a movie that took the angle of the counterfeiters' experience in the camps (I wasn't even aware that the Nazis had the operation until I heard about this film). Not only is it interesting, the style of it made me feel like I was right there with the characters. Although slow in some parts, those are more than forgiven because the film is undeniably well-written and well-directed. I got this feeling that desperation is always in the air even though the characters are being treated "well" (as opposed to the ones not in the counterfeiting operation). All of the actors did a convincing job playing their roles, notably Karl Markovics and Devid Striesow. They embodied their roles with such intensity that it was fascinating to see them interact. I also enjoyed how each character can be placed different points on the moral spectrum; their choices in action and words make them complex characters worth spending time with. This is generally a very good film but it's even better if one is hoping for a different vantage point regarding the victims in the concentration camps.

Baghead
[ 3 stars out of 4 ]

I adore films that are able to prove that you can make a movie for basically next to nothing, but if it has a clever script then most of the other crucial components will come into place. I must mention Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass for writing and directing a movie that made me laugh and feel fear most often wrapped in one scene (some of the humor are borderline darkly comic). Even though it took its merry time to establish the characters and their motivations, hand-held camera and all, it was an interesting watch from start to finish. We find out something about each character after each minute, whether they may be talking about nothing or just sitting in awkward silence. Speaking of awkward, I did adore the awkward humor, which I don't want to go into specifics because I don't want to ruin the surprise for those who are interested in watching the film. I also want to commend the four actors: Ross Partridge, Steve Zissis, Greta Gerwig, and Elise Muller. Even though their acting might be a bit amateurish, I liked their zeal. Somehow, their style worked because I feel like they are people I can meet anywhere; they seem very amicable. But I must say that they're really good at freaking out and being cute with each other, basically the extremes. As for the horror aspect of this picture, I have to admit that I did get scared at times, especially during the night scenes, specifically in the last thirty minutes. This is a pretty effective horror-comedy that almost feels like a documentary because of the hand-held camera. Don't let the low budget scare you because the filmmakers really do have something interesting to offer.

One of the authors featured in the episode is Art Spiegelman, the author of Maus. For those who don't know, Maus is a powerful story of struggle and survival set during the Holocaust, where Jews were systematically executed by the Nazi regime, and is one of the few graphic novels to have won a major literary award. By using animals (mice represent Jewish people and cats the Germans) to tell the story, Maus is a great example of graphic novels at their best.

With their combination of words and striking images, graphic novels can sometimes convey a message that words alone can't. Graphic novels can also be a great way to introduce yourself to subject matter that can be deep, and sometimes, difficult to get your head around. If you're into graphic novels and feel like a challenge why not try Maus or one of these:

• The complete Crumb comics by R. Crumb
• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (recently released as a feature length film)

If you liked these or know of other graphic novels that have sparked your interest, let us know.

Εξαίσια ταινία, που μπορεί να κουράζει με το contrast του ασπρόμαυρου αλλά έχει ψυχή και πραγματική σγκίνηση. Ποτέ δεν ξεπέφτει σε ευκολίες και δεν χαρίζεται σε κανέναν. Η δημιουργός Marjane Satrapi ξεκίνησε να διηγείται την ιστορία της Marji στα δύο της εικονογραφημένα βιβλία και εδώ της δίνει φωνή και κίνηση. Πολύ καλές οι Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve και Danielle Darrieux ως τρεις γενιές γυναικών της Περσίας, που με την φωνή τους πραγματικά κάνουν τη διαφορά. Βρίσκω εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρον που μία τόσο προσωπική ιστορία ενός κοριτσιού κατάφερε από τη μία να γράψει κινηματογραφική ιστορία και από την άλλη να πέσει θύμα λογοκρισίας σε διάφορα μέρη στον κόσμο.

Τα λόγια περιττεύουν, η ταινία είναι πραγματικό αριστούργημα και επιβάλλεται για όλους τους υποψιασμένους θεατές. Τα βιβλία δυστυχώς δεν τα έχω διαβάσει, αλλά θα επανορθώσω σύντομα.

Mój bejbik nuci niezrozumiale, ale z pełnym zaangażowaniem. Jeżeli chodzi o starsze dzieci, to zupełnie się jeszcze nie orientuje. I chyba nie ważny jest zestaw pokoleniowy. Ze średniego uważam, że słowotwórcze duety, w osobach Maleńczuka i Waglewskiego, zawsze wnoszą coś nowego, życiowego:

...
Przegadaliśmy nockę,
Obgadaliśmy trochę inny tyły tak by spłacić dług.
I nie było mi przykro i było mi miło
I dłużej tak bym siedzieć mógł.

I więcej kręcę teraz głową mniej więcej o połowę
I mniej się tłucze w mojej duszy
I dusza mniej się dusi.
...

A i kobiety też nie pozostają w tyle. Na przykład Maria „Awaria” Peszek w mlaskający sposób potrafi przybliżyć erotycznie brzmiące słowa łącząc je w lepkie zestawy:

- Lubię twoje to, lubię twoje tamto, kiedy tamto staje, ja się staję, nifomańką ...
- Poliż mnie, I’m polish albo jeśli wolisz, możesz mnie posolić, albo wy... miętolić ...
- Hej, hej, hej. Tyś mój klej. Superglue I love you …
- itd.

Czekam teraz na objawienie starszego – najlepiej jakiś przedstawiciel/ka z 80-tką na karku. W końcu to pokolenie, które lubiło świntuszyć niebywale – moja babcia nie była tu żadnym wyjątkiem. Po prostu to jej wychodziło samo, podobnie jak babci Marjane Satrapi (Wyszywanki).

Rada: Rozochoć się trochę!

Recordé a Marjane, personaje principal de la película Persépolis. A ella, a su madre y a su abuela les tocó el régimen fundamentalista que, entre otras acciones humillantes, las obligó a cubrirse el pelo.

La película es contada desde la mirada de Marjane. Es una narración perfecta que muestra la historia de Irán durante la revolución islámica y cómo una niña percibe y asume esos cambios políticos al tiempo que va creciendo y vive los cambios en el cuerpo y la mente.

Me gustan los filmes de corte revolucionario. Me gusta que el cine hable de las historias no contadas o mal contadas. Me gustan las películas que exponen la injusticia y hablan de la opresión femenina. Me gusta que haya cambios en quienes las ven y que se manifiesten en contra de cualquier forma de violencia. Siempre he dicho que la mejor revolución es la que cada uno hace por no caer en lo que tanto critica y tanto daño hace. Cuando la convicción es lo suficientemente fuerte, el cambio se da en uno y, sin duda, terminará permeando a los demás.

Recuerdo a Marjane y pienso en mí. Ambas con ojos grandes y pelo largo. Ojos grandes para ver la el mundo, todo el mundo. Para no perderme ni un detalle y conocer la vida de los demás. Para ver tanto que no quisiera pero que ahí está y me toca aguantar o hacer algo para cambiarlo. Pelo largo para celebrar y disfrutar mi feminidad. Para ver y sentir el mundo como una mujer y no olvidar que debo ayudar a otras para que también lo puedan hacer.

Persépolis, Francia, 2007. Dirección: Marjane Satrapi y Vincent Paronnaud. Guión: Marjane Satrapi y Vincent Paronnaud; basado en las novelas gráficas de Marjane Satrapi. Producción: Marc-Antoine Robert y Xavier Rigault. Música: Olivier Bernet. Montaje: Stéphane Roche. Diseño de producción: Marisa Musy. Reparto: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian, Gabrielle Lopes, François Jerosme.

O livro vendeu milhões de cópias, Spieglman esteve na FLIP, a polêmica continuou (HQ pode ser considrado literatura?) mas o fato é que devorei o MAUS na primeira noite em que o tive em mãos. A história de Vladek Spieglman, um sobrevivente do holocausto judeu, é comovente e merecedora sim de ser difundida e premiada.

Começo citando MAUS pois ontem li um livro chamado PERSÉPOLIS (também com uma história contada por meio dos quadrinhos), cuja autora é a iraniana Marjane Satrapi, e que também tem como pano de fundo uma guerra.

Persépolis é uma aula de História contemporânea sobre uma região do mundo que nós brasileiros quase nada sabemos. Sem querer tirar os créditos de MAUS, cuja narrativa é sem dúvida mais "elaborada", eu tenho que defender que Persépolis é mais interessante, pois conta a história de uma guerra até então muito pouco conhecida por mim. O conflito Irã-Iraque foi muito pouco divulgado ou explicado para nós, diferente da Segunda Guerra Mundial, tema até hoje bastante discutido.

Além de recomendar a leitura tanto de MAUS quanto de Persépolis, aproveito para lembrar quão visionário foi George Orwell em seu irretocável 1984: Em Persepolis, Marjane cita que a TV iraniana sempre divulgava dados sobre a guerra; Certo dia foi anunciado que o exército iraniano havia destruído 5 tanques e abatido 10 avióes iraquianos. Seu pai, sintonizando a rádio BBC, na verdade descobrira que naquele dia o exército iraquiano é que havia destruído aviões do Irã.

Falando sobre a mesma guerra, Marjane conta ainda que por volta de 1988 o Iraque propôs um cessar-fogo. O Irã negou, pois não aceitava uma "paz imposta pelo inimigo". Mais tarde naquele mesmo ano o próprio governo chegou a admitir que não era economicamente interessante terminar a guerra.

Pode Orwell ter sido mais preciso, ao descrever o mundo que viveriamos num futuro próximo?

A arte imita a vida que copia de volta a arte. 

Em tempo: Persépolis virou filme em 2007.

[nick hornby, the complete polysillabic spree, p. 257]

Dir. Marjane Satrapi & Vicent Paronnaud

2007

Voces: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkaian.

Persépolis es una lección de vida. Es un canto de esperanza, y un grito de desesperación. 

Tengo mucho que decir de esta película, y no sé ni por dónde empezar. Primero por su origen. Persépolis surgió como un cómic francés, realizado por Marjane Satrapi (que resulta ser además la protagonista de la historia). Ella utiliza esta forma narrativa y visual para contar sus recuerdos de la infancia, que versan sobre los conflictos de los regímenes por los que pasó su país y su ciudad, durante varios momentos históricos (que conllevan guerra, revolución, cambios de autoridad, etc). 

Tras el éxito de su libro de cómic, publicado en cuatro volúmenes, decide llevar a la pantalla grande su trabajo, a manera de animación, con la colaboración de Vincent Paronnaud.

La animación de esta película, es muy sencilla, y sin embargo, goza de una belleza inexplicable. Yo -sinceramente, y apesar de las largas recomendacionees- pensé que me aburriría y me quedaría dormida enlos primeros diez minutos (porque estaba cansada), pero, pese a mi sueño abrumador, no podía dejar de ver la película. Así no paré hasta verla toda.

Tenía una mezcla de desesperación, tristeza, alegría y esperanza.

Creo que es una forma sutil de ver una cruda realidad, y es una lección de vida y de derechos humanos. Cuando veo cosas así, realmente reflexiono sobre lo que estamos haciendo con nosotros mismos, con el planeta, con los demás. Viendo realidades de esa forma, nos damos cuenta que tenemos que hacer algo, primero en corto, para poco a poco ir trascendiendo. 

Definitivamente, RECOMIENDO esta película. Es maravillosa, como material fílmico, y como una referencia a la realidad de Irán.

Le doy 5 butaquitas de oro (porque no le puedo dar más) y 3 palomitas de maíz:

1. por la animación

2. por los dibujos

3. por la iluminación

p.d. y me doy de topes por no haber comprado el cómic cuando pude, ni la edición especial de este DVD con cuatro discos adicionales con todo el material adicional que pueda existir!

I "Bookinist" från Nils Holger Moormann hade jag fått plats med det jag läste i augusti. DN:s Pontus Dahlman skriver om fåtöljen och andra bokmöbler.

Under augusti månad läste jag 11 böcker tror jag. Jag hade bara mig själv och familjens två råttor att ta hand om. Arbetade en hel del och var social - men hade varken TV eller Internet.

René Vázquez Díaz Foto: Ordfront

Månaden inleddes med Fredrika i paradis av René Vázquez Díaz. Fick låna boken av min kusin, som köpt och läst den eftersom hon förälskat sig i Kuba. Den är en skönlitterär beskrivning av Fredrika Bremers besök på den karibiska ön Kuba. En fin bok - men jag funderade ideligen på hur mycket som var René Vázquez Díaz författarstoff och vad som var Fredrika Bremers upplevelser och tankar.

Marjaneh Bakhtiari Foto: Ordfront

Kalla det vad fan du vill av Marjaneh Bakhtiari är en rolig bok om en familj som flytt från Iran och hamnat i Sverige. De tror att de är utvandrare - men får snart lära sig att det är invandrare de är. Känns som en film. Påminner lite om Jonas Hassen Khemiris Ett öga rött. Om föräldrar som vill bli svenska och barn som vill bli något de inte vet så mycket om. Kanske har barnen någon slags romantiserad bild av ett hemland där allt är bättre än i Sverige.

Sen läste jag Mitt Iran av den persiska Nobelpristagaren (fredspriset) Shirin Ebadi. Intressant att läsa om persiska kvinnors upplevelser av revolutionen, tiden innan revolutionen - och dagens situation. Har tidigare skrivit om Marjane Satrapis seriealbum Persepolis och Azar Nafisis Att läsa Lolita i Teheran.

De båda sistnämnda har lämnat landet och skrivit sina böcker i exil - i Frankrike respektive USA. Men hur gör de som valt att stanna i den muslimska diktaturen? Shirin Ebadi är utbildad domare och har sedan revolutionen först tvingats stanna hemma och sedan accepterats som advokat. Nu engagerar hon sig för journalister som lever under dödshot och för kvinnor och deras familjer som hamnat i kläm med sharian och regeringens tolkning. Shirin Ebadi är påläst. Hon vet hur hon ska använda makthavarnas egna metoder emot dem. Hon kan också sharialagarna... Läs alla dessa böcker. Börja med Persepolis, fortsätt med Att läsa Lolita i Teheran och avsluta med Mitt Iran.

Steget från den persiska juristen Ebadi till den kinesiska juristen Xiao Rundcrantz och hennes bok Röd Åklagare är inte så långt. Böckerna liknar dessutom varandra på så sätt att författarna utelämnat vissa detaljer av hänsyn till de inblandade. Och de handlar inte om äran eller skammen, det handlar om dödsstraff eller inte dödstraff. Xiao Rundcrantz berättar detaljer om den kinesiska ettbarnspolitiken som jag skulle tagit för skrönor om jag läst det i dagpressen. Men jag tror att jag kan lita på det hon skrivit i sin bok. Bland annat om hur hon varit med vid en raid hos en bonde som hade "för många barn". Hustrun var återigen gravid och hon skulle skickas på tvångsabort. Hon var i åttonde månaden... Och ja - de tog bort hennes barn och steriliserade henne. 

Sen läste jag Nadia of the Nightwitches av Tom Townsend. Antar att det var en ungdomsbok. Enkelt skriven. Skönlitterär med dokumentär grund. Spännande. Rekommenderas till den som vill läsa lite mer om Natthäxorna på ett lättsamt sätt.

Mitt vågräta liv av komikern Chelsea Handler var intressant på så sätt att här behandlades män på samma sätt som kvinnor brukar behandlas - som förbrukningsvaror. Något man roar sig med en natt - men sedan undviker att stöta ihop med igen. Intressant som sagt - men inget jag kan identifiera mig med. Jag förbrukar inte människor. Dessutom har jag så svårt för hennes supande - och ännu svårare för att hon envisas med att köra bilen när hon är så gott som plakat. Trafiksäkerhet och nykterhet i trafiken är en av mina käpphästar. Det här är en bok jag ger bort utan saknad. Jag skrattade inte ens åt hennes skämt - om det nu var skämt i boken.

Marguerite Duras, Paris, 21 maj 1993

Foto : Richard Avedon

Marguerite Duras Halv elva en sommarkväll. Den var riktigt bra! Och jag ser fram emot att få läsa den igen -  denna korta och mycket spännande skildring av ett olycklgt par, en blivande älskarinna och en man som skjutit sin unga hustru och hennes älskare. Huvudpersonen är en alkoholiserad kvinna. Hon kör visserligen också bil - men i denna bok känns det mer "rätt". Allt är ändå så sjaskigt. Boken är på endast 112 sidor - jag läste den i ett streck. Vacker och hemsk och jag såg allt som i en film. Har den filmats?

Googlade och såg att den blivit film 1966 med titeln 10:30 P.M. Summer. Vet inte om den är bra, men skulle gärna se den om jag fick tillfälle.

Hittills har jag tyckt om allt som Jeanette Winterson skrivit. Mest älskad är Fyrväktaren. Den är som en saga, där historiska skeden vävts in. Den är som Tusen och en natt och en vindpinad udde i havet. Den är en bok som jag vill läsa snart igen. I somras läste jag Passionen. Och om Fyrväktaren är en vindpinad variant av Tusen och en natt, så är Passionen en Venetiansk variant, genombruten av magiska kanaler.

En dag på Skansen hade jag glömt min bok hemma. Det var en grå och regnig dag. Inte många turister. Jag fick låna en bok hos grannen - Brofästet. Läste Selma Lagerlöfs En herrgårdssägen. Kände igen texten och kom på att den sänts i dramatiserad form på radion i somras. En tunn bok som jag snabbt läste ut. Lånade August Strindbergs Röda rummet. Så nu har jag äntligen läst den! En bok som vi fick i uppdrag att läsa när jag gick på mellanstadiet. Märkligt - den är inte så lätt för en vuxen person som läser mycket att ta sig igenom. Hur skulle en 11-12-åring kunna läsa den och dessutom kunna njuta?

Nå jag läste och jag njöt. Han är kul han Strindberg. Även om en hel del av innehållet måste gått mig förbi. Mycket var daterat. Men beskrivningen av huvudpersonen Arvid Falks bror var så på pricken. En hemsk människa. Och beskrivningen av en byråkrati som inte fungerar, och av filantropiska damer som förfasar sig över de fattigas osedliga leverne, och beskrivningen av kappvändarna...

Ja, jag rekommenderar den - även om den kan kännas lite tung för den som är ovan vid 1800-talssvenska.

Fick av en arbetskamrat låna en bok om Sofie Sager - den första svenska kvinna som anmält en våldtäkt - eller ett våldtäktsförsök för att vara korrekt. Boken är skriven av Maj Olsen i skönlitterär form, men bygger på historiska källor - bland annat utdrag ur det Sagerska målet. Märklig kvinna. Och beundransvärd. Så modig. Jag är glad över att jag fick göra hennes bekantskap i somras.

Citatet i titeln till detta inlägg kommer från en skrift jag fick på världens längsta bokbord på Drottninggatan i somras. Det är Vetenskap och Folkbildnings skrift Folkvett nr 3 2001. Marianne Rasmuson citerar Nietzsche i sin artikel om "Intelligent design".

Hela citatet lyder:

"Ett halvt vetande blir mera framgångsrikt än ett helt: det uppfattar allt som enklare än det är och gör därför sin uppfattning mer begriplig och övertygande." och hela artikeln kan du läsa här.

Fler boktips och mer info om Marjane Satrapi och Azar Nafisi.

And a few days ago I went into a bookshop, and what did I see over there?

Indeed, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi!

Here's what is looked like:

Apparently a newpaper is giving away cult comics. Not really giving away of course, you are supposed to buy the newspaper, cut out the advertisement, go to the nearest bookshop with it and buy it for half the price.

I'm too late for that, but the graphic novel available! I am going to buy it this time. I really am. (I hope so)

There is a movie about this book, didn't see it either. Anyway, they are both supposed to be very very good. More info about the plot of the graphic novel and the movie: here.

Please excuse me, I am going to buy the novel.

And so are you.

What can i say other than wow?! This complete volume combines Marjane Satrapi's two autobiographical graphic novels Persepolis 1 & 2. Originally published in French. Book One details the young Marjane's childhood in Iran after the revolution. Book Two follows her to high school in Vienna and her return to Iran where Satrapi attended college, married, and later divorced before moving to France, where she now lives.

This book is a touching coming of age tale, i read it while i was on honeymoon, it had me absolutely captivated. Satrapi's humour, honesty and warmth commanded laughter and tears. Clearly a gifted storyteller and graphic artist, Satrapi's childhood in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution is awe inspiring. I firmly believe Persepolis should be introduced to the curriculum. It is as relevant as The Diary of Anne Frank. And beyond that, it's an excellent read with a funny, clever central character.

Persepolis has been made into an animated film, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing it yet but i'l keep you posted. Satrapi has written other children's stories, of which i will also keep you informed.

Please, please, please buy, borrow or steal this book and devower it. It will stay with you long afterwards.

«Amerikansk Kineser» av Gene Yang er en av årets viktigste og beste tegneserier på norsk.

I spennet mellom Kina og USA fortelles tre parallelle historier som til slutt smelter sammen på en genial måte. Det er en bok om identitet og det å passe inn, både i forhold til kamerater og verden omkring seg.

Den første historien baseres på myten om Apekongen, apen som hersker over sine egne, men som ikke får innpass blant gudene fordi han ikke har sko på føttene. Den tidligere så velvillige apen bestemmer seg for å hevne seg og slå tilbake mot det han anser som en urett begått mot ham selv. Han oppgraderer sine kung-fu-egenskaper og går til angrep.

Den andre historien handler om Jin Wang som er eneste kineser på skolen sin. Alt han vil er å passe inn, og det er vanskelig nok som det er om man ikke også skal gå hen og forelske seg i en amerikansk jente. Den tredje historien handler om den mildt sagt irriterende Tjing-Tjong (sic!) . Han representerer den ultimate kinesiske stereotypen, og forsøker så godt han kan å ødelegge sin fetter Dannys liv. Danny selv spiller basketball, er populær, men hvert år kommer Tjing-Tjong og føkker opp alt. Hvem er egentlig denne fetteren og hvorfor gjør han som han gjør?

Med krystallklare fargetegninger og en fjærlett fortellerstil veksler Gene Yang mellom karakterene og de ulike historiene og gjør dem til mennesker i en bokstavelig talt fabelaktig tegneserieroman, en roman som for øvrig er i slekt med den vel så glimrende «Persepolis» av Marjane Satrapi. Ikke bli overrasket dersom «Amerikansk Kineser» også blir å se på lerretet om ikke så lenge.

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Dear All,

I hope you are enjoying the summer. As you were busy reading the previous window, I was traveling some more, this time to Chicago for a workshop and a book signing. Let me welcome you to window 31 without further ado:

The two-day conference in Chicago was dedicated mostly discussing the subject of Sufism (the Islamic mystical tradition) with a number of fine scholars working on Iran and other parts of the Muslim world.
Quite a few of these American friends/colleagues travel to the region regularly. The subject of an article published in Sunday Times a day before the conference inserted a sad note into our otherwise happy discussions. The article called "Seeking Signs of Literary Life in Iran" made incredible claims such as: bookstores do not really exist in Iran, or the books Iranians read are good to be discussed only with their therapists!

Before I proceed with a brief critique of the Sunday Times article, please go ahead and click here (Bookstores in Iran) to see a few recent pictures of actual bookstores in Iran (yes, they exist).

Sunday Times Article on Iranian Bookstores, Books and Readers

On May 27, Sunday Times published and article called "Seeking Signs
of Literary Life in Iran" by Azaseh Moaveni regarding books,
bookstores and readers in present day Iran. the article presents an
exaggerated and inaccurate perspective. The author suggests that in
present day Iran "bookstores do not exist at such," and what Iranians
read do not "lend themselves to discussion except with a therapist."
She goes on to say that after the 1979 revolution Iranian women have
no "social clubs or culture centers to frequent" and that due to
censorship, characters in translation of Western novels sip dough (an
Iranian yogurt soda) instead of whisky. Unfortunately, I can't tell
you that currently Iran is free of censorship. But I can say with
certainty that the statements I just quoted are simply erroneous.
Last summer, I personally visited many bookstores and purchased a good
number of books in Iran including Sharnoush Parsipour's critically
acclaimed Persian novel Tuba and The Meaning of the Night and a copy
of the Persian translation of The Da Vinci Code, which I found to be
very popular with Iranian readership. I was fascinated with the large
window displays of bookstores for the Persian translation of the
respective autobiographies of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Hillary
Clinton's My Life (complete with her picture on the cover) was also a
popular title. Prior to writing this window, I picked this last book
and examined it carefully to be able to give you some finer details.
This translation contains discussions of  Senator Clinton's pro-choice
views, and her support for homosexuals in the army. It also refers to
occasions where she has drinks (other than dough) with friends.

Current Issues

* The news concerning a possible American military assault on Iran
continues to suggest different - and at times conflicting -
possibilities. In the month of May, for example, one the one hand,
Reuters has reported 9 US warships entering the Gulf in a show of
force. Following Vice President Cheney's travel to the region, this
may be viewed as a grave new development.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070523/ts_nm/gulf_usa_ships_dc;_ylt=AjqeRVgqCQwyyrccLNzOyOus0NUE
Other reports, however, suggest strong opposition by high ranking U.S.
army officers to the idea of a military campaign against Iran
according to the Teach Peace Foundation. The reporter Gareth
Porter, who interviewed Admiral William Fallon suggests that the
Admiral has vowed that this will not happen until he is Chief of
Central Command. Let us hope, the latter report is more indicative of
the reality: http://www.teachpeace.com/june.pdf

Iranian Women Karate Players

Iranian women do use culture centers, social and sports clubs. Having been introduced to a new Iranian women's sports web site, I decided to put together a brief slide show for you of Shirzanan, an Iranian women Karate team practicing. I am very careful though to keep these attachments very small, so as not to cause problems for your home computers. Click here for more: Iranian Women Karate Team.

Visual Delight

Before, we get to our painting exhibit of the week, I'd like to report
on the great success of the Iranian graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi. The Jury Prize in Canne film festival 2007 was awarded by Jamel Debbouze to the Persepolis, an animated adaptation of Ms. Satrapi's graphic novel about growing up in Iran during and after the 1979 revolution.  Reygadas. http://www.persianmirror.com/Article_det.cfm?id=1467&getArticleCategory=79&getArticleSubCategory=119

Our final visual delight this week brings you the work of an Iranian
woman painter, Nasrin Dastan (b. 1968) who also studied graphic arts.
In this show, however, Ms. Dastan's work demonstrates her masterful
use of watercolor particularly in depicting natural scenery. I have
enjoyed Ms. Dastan's snowy days immensely. Click here: Nasrin Dastan Painting. Enjoy!

Until our next window, have a great week.

Best,
Fatemeh

===================================
Fatemeh Keshavarz, Professor and Chair
Dept. of Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
Washington University in St. Louis
Tel: (314) 935-5156
Fax: (314) 935-4399
==================================

Persepolis

The western influence in Iranian culture is evident throughout the film, and while illegal, you see teens trying to rebel by buying black market cassette tapes of Michael Jackson and Iron Maiden, wearing "punk shoes" Nike sneakers, and even wearing the sewn adage "punk is not ded" on the back of a denim jacket. Marjane becomes enthralled with western culture, as one scene shows her head-banging to Iron Maiden in her room. As any concerned parent would do, Marjane's parents send her away to Austria once danger becomes all too real when a bomb strikes down a family friend in the adjacent apartment building.

The film takes on many dark subjects, from unqualified "leaders", to hypocrisy within the public perception of men and women, and Marjane's realization that the rest of the world takes their freedoms for granted. For the most part, the animation is black and white, to portray the arbitrary outlook of the Iranian regime. It is a shame that the Iranian government boycotted this film. There must be too much truth for them to handle. The film succeeds in showing you the loving and nurturing side of the Iranian people, and how they only want to protect their families and change the situation they are in, but what can you do when you have others to think about? Do what you are told, and conform; happens every day. You can't change where you were brought up, or what nationality you were born into, but you CAN create your own future.

- Ant

[Persepolis is available on DVD.]

Liv Strömquist 100 procent fett

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Liv Strömquist Einsteins fru

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Liv Strömquist Drift

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Marjane Satrapi Kyckling med plommon

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Simon Gärdenfors Simons 120 dagar

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Nina Hemmingsson Jag är din flickvän nu

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/Tobias

Pick of the Week:

Gossip Girl Season 1 - Perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire new season of shows, this has a terrible pilot but from there on in is the most ridiculous, silly, sassy, smart show on TV. It's a beautifully rendered portrait of upper-class New York life which pokes fun in all the right places and, in Ed Westwick's Chuck, has the most delicious semi-villain yet conceived for a teen-targeted show. The next season promises more sex, drugs and, well, more sex so I can't flippin' wait. As much fun as you can have with a new show right now.

Also out

Chuck Season 1 - Patchy and slightly uninspired tale of an accidental spy from the pen of The OC's Josh Schwartz. Just never really kicked into an acceptable gear despite mostly decent cast. In fact, the key reason for its failing is Morgan, the sidekick to our eponymous hero, who is about as annoying as a human being can be.
Persepolis - Beautiful and charming little story and you can read my thoughts on it here.
Happy Go-Lucky - Mike Leigh's new piece about a young lady with an unbreakably positive outlook on life. I will be watching it this week.
Never Back Down - Step Up 2 The Streets with mixed martial arts. So bad, it's awesome.
Stop-Loss - Misguided but valiant attempt at engaging with the psychology of modern warfare although it is packed with talented young males, not least the outstanding Joseph Gordon Levitt.
Love is the Devil - Intense portrait of Francis Bacon from Derek Jarman and starring Derek Jacobi. A fine, well-acted and well-balanced piece of work.
Pathology - Milo Ventimiglia from Heroes in some surgery horror thing. Haven't seen and likely won't.
Street Fight - A recounting of the battle between Cory Booker and Sharpe James to become the Mayor of Newark. An incredible, eviscerating study of dirty local politics with a bleakness to its conclusion which was eventually solved by life.
Lonesome Jim - Not seen but directed by the great Steve Buscemi and starring the soon-to-be-great Casey Affleck alongside the never-will-be-great-but-still-charming Liv Tyler.

Persepolis is the feature film version of Marjane Satrapi's two-volume autobiographical graphic novels of the same name.  It's received a bunch of awards and was nominated at this year's Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature (Ratatouille won).  It's a crazy mix of politics and culture, with incredible animation and some genuinely funny moments.  It's not "Netflix This"-worthy, but for those looking for something fresh and irreverent, Persepolis is worth a look.

What's it about?  Marjane Satrapi is a rambunctious eight year-old living in Tehran, Iran during the cultural revolution of 1978.  Her parents are politically active and oppose the Shah.  But when the country switches from a monarchy to a Islamic theocracy, things for the Satrapis family go from not great to really not great.

The family endures the Iran-Iraq war and finds ways to quietly protest the ruling government's extremism (like attending a secret party where alcohol is served and buying forbidden music like Bee Gees and Iron Maiden from street vendors).

Things keep getting worse, so Marjane's parents send her to Vienna to go to school.  It is on her own that Marjane embraces western decadence and slowly loses her Iranian identity.

As a young twenty-something, Marjane returns to Iran, only to find she doesn't belong there any more than she did in Europe.  The end.

What's good about it?  This sounds like a downer of a film, but the movie is scattered with some hilarious moments.  It's weird, quirky, funny and honest. The mostly black and white animation is a revelation--gorgeous, at times somber, but always effective.  The film is subtitled in French, but don't worry--there is an English-language track on the DVD so you can watch the film without subtitles.

What's bad about it?  Just because it's animated doesn't mean it's family-friendly.  There is a fair share of violent content and sexual situations that may turn off those looking for something that's appropriate for all ages.  

The film is autobiographical, which means the story doesn't have a traditional narrative.  Like most biopics, this one is Stuff Happening (see Ray, Ali or Walk the Line).

Perfect for: Animation buffs, foreign film enthusiasts.

So, last night I spent a ridiculous amount of time redrawing the post from yesterday and touching it up in photoshop.  I decided on a 6 x 9" format for my book and that I was going to do my font by hand.  I like the way it turned out.  Left a blank spot for future frame.  Feeling good about going forward with a few basics figured out.

A artista gráfica e escritora Marjane Satrapi, uma iraniana erradicada na França, criou e dirigiu um desenho animado baseado em sua autobiografia homônima: Persépolis. Um dos melhores filmes que assisti nos últimos meses.

Persépolis conta a história de Marjane dos seus 10 aos vinte-e-poucos anos. Durante essa época, Marjane viveu um dos períodos mais intensos da história do Irã: guerra contra o Iraque e a revolução cultural. A família de Marjane, também retratada durante o filme, era envolvida com o movimento comunista e socialista no Irã.

Esse filme é muito esclarecedor. Eu, por exemplo, não sabia muita coisa sobre a história do Irã. Assista assim que puder, vale muito a pena!