After the International success of her animated
movie Persepolis,
an adaptation of the graphic story of the same name, Iranian born French
filmmaker and illustrator Marjane Satrapi had vowed not to get involved in any
further political activism or controversial debate about her native country. One
of the major reasons was that she claimed not to be a spokes person for any
particular Iranian generation or political demand given that she did not
consider herself as a politician but only as an artist entitled to her own
subjective views and opinions. Her very first breakthrough into Film was an
unexpected international success which was awarded in Cannes in 2007
amidst calls of boycott from her
native country's cultural and political authoritieswho
actually managed to oust her film from several Asian film festivals on false
grounds that her subversive film insulted Iranians and gave an inaccurate
depiction of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 as well as of the theocratic regime
that has been in Power since. Such unfounded attacks by the Islamic Republic
against the film actually turned out as good publicity and benefited to its
international success generating even further curiosity in both the story and
the author behind it to the dismay of the Theocratic regime's blind censors ...
Not only
did the film collect numerous awards worldwide, but it was also a Box Office Hit
that paved its way to being nominated in the foreign film category at the 2008 Oscar's® representing
France.
But the strain of a year long marathon promotion of the film worldwide as well
as Satrapi's intention to work on her next project: the motion picture
adaptation of her other comic book "Chicken with Plums"
had considerably reduced the number of her press interviews and media presence
in recent months. However the current dramatic events that took place in her
native country following the Iranian elections naturally drew her back into the
French and European Medias where she was to take an active part in supporting
what has since become known as the "Green Revolution". (**)
On 16th
of June, 2009, Invited by European Green Party Deputy and Iconic figurehead of
France's May 68 Revolution Daniel-Cohn Bendit, Marjane Satrapi and fellow
colleague, Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf, joined their voice at the
European Parliament to denounce what they called a "COUP" conducted by Iran's
President and Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei against the Popular Vote
of the Iranian People at Large. In front of the International Press conveyed to
European Parliament in Brussels,
Belgium,
Marjane Satrapi translated into English, Mohsen Makhmalbaf's speech
delivered in Persian and in which he explained that he was chosen as official
spokesman by the unhappy candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi held in Iran. Both
insisted on the electoral fraud that took place following the Iranian
Presidential elections on June 12th, 2009.
"Brandishing an
authentic document which both Satrapi and Cohn-Bendit presented to the audience
as published by the Iranian ministry of Interior prior to the fraudulous
announcement, they proved that Mr. Moussavi had not only won with a comfortable
margin of 19 million votes but that his rival Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was ranked
third after reformist candidate Mehdi Karoubi with only 5 million votes, thus
contradicting the official pole that the latter was re-elected as President with
62 % of the votes."
Left to Right : Green
Party European Deputy Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Marjane Satrapi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf at
the European Commission in Brussels,
Belgium
Beyond
the political significance of this Joint Conference it should be noted that for
the first time in 30 years an exiled Iranian director of the Diaspora and an
Iranian filmmaker from Iran's current native film community were to publicly
appear together in front of the international press. Thus, proving if needed,
not only their mutual admiration for one another but also their belonging to the
same film and Arts community. This is all the more remarkable and brave given
that Marjane Satrapi's works have been subject to heavy censorship by the
Islamic Republic of Iran and that Mohsen Makhmalbaf has chosen self exile to
France quite recently in a sign of protest against the working conditions and
lack of respect for his works by the Iranian government's cultural ministry. An
Irony given that Mohsen Makhmalbaf and his colleague friend Abbas Kiarostami
(currently shooting a film "Certified Copy" with French Star Juliette Binoche
in Italy) are considered by international and Iranian critics as the two major
pioneers of Iran's highly respected New Wave Cinema.
In an
emotional but firm tone Marjane Satrapi quoted Makhmalbaf's translated statement
in conclusion to the Q&A to the press conference as follows:
"To
acknowledge the legitimacy of Mr. Ahmadinejad would mean not recognizing the
legitimacy of the Iranian people. We need your support and ask you to stand
beside the Iranian people who wish nothing less than peace, the possibility to
dream and define their place as a great nation within the international
community." She added "Tomorrow will be too late ! ..."
LEFT COLUMN: French
Philosopher Bernard Henri Levy Joins Marjane Satrapi during a recent
demonstration in Paris against brutal suppression by Ahmadinejad's government of
Iranian protestors and Green voters.
(***)
RIGHT COLUMN: "Danny Le Rouge" aka Daniel Cohn-Bendit
iconic figurehead of France's May 68 Revolution as well as European
ecologist "Green Party" Deputy invites filmmakers Marjane Satrapi and Mohsen
Makhmalbaf in Brussels,
Belgium
French
Media like the international one took an early interest in the Iranian
Presidential elections and has been greatly impressed by what has become known
as the "Twitter Revolution" in reference to the trend amongst Iranian protestors
to inform the outside world on what is taking place in Iran and to fill in the
vacuum created by the Iranian government's decision to expel all foreign
journalists from Iran during these nation wide protests.
French Correspondent
Manon Loiseau made an impressive report (which was aired on French TV and also
Al Jazeera English) on the short aftermath of the Elections and during the
protests which were violently suppressed by the
Government Police and Bassiji
militia
The
whereabouts of a French University teacher
Clotilde Reiss
who has been arrested on absurd grounds of "spying for foreign powers" has
deeply shocked French public opinion. It has been heartwarming for many to see
that the Iranian Diaspora took a staunch stand in support for the French woman's
predicament and vastly demonstrated in solidarity in Paris and with full support
by prominent members of the Iranian Diaspora community including Mrs. Satrapi,
the photographer Reza Deghati. Similarly thanks to the tireless actress Behi Djanati Atai who
has been particularly active in organizing these solidarity rallies and
informing demonstrators through her facebook and mailing list, many French and
Iranian personalities of the Arts, Social and political landscape have
generously joined their outrage in support to the Iranian People's Struggle For
Democracy and Human Rights such as Pierre
Schapira, Karim Lahidji, Anne Hidalgo, Dominique Voynet , Mohsen Makhmalbaf,
Samira Makhmalbaf, Isabelle Giordano, Atiq Rahimi, Bernard-Henri Levy, Denis
Lavant, Vincent Lindon, Jack Lang, Pourya Amirshahi, Nicole Guedj, Corinne
Lepage, Bariza Khiari, Marek Halter, Philippe Lioret, Nicolas Hulot, Rachida
Brakni, Eric Cantona, Sandrine Bonnaire, Zabou Breitman, Anh Dao Traxel.
Their common
slogans have been:
1.
An Immediat Halt to the brutalities against the Iranian People
2.
The Immediate release of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience
3.
The Judgment of those who have committed these killings of peaceful protestors
4.
The annulment of the elections
5.
And the Organization under international supervision of Free and Fair Democratic
elections
Widely
covered in the Press these demonstrators have vowed to continue this struggle in
support of their compatriots back home and regardless of the regime's threats of
a clamp down on the demonstrators on grounds of foreign meddling and
manipulation in Iran's internal affairs.
"This
is first and foremost an issue of respecting the people's choice" say's Satrapi.
"It is the Iranian un-elected leadership who is accountable to the Iranian
nation and not the contrary"
In
addition what is becoming known as "La Revolution Verte Iranienne" aka "The
Green Revolution" in the French Press one prominent French voice has given an
extra boost to this Iranian Solidarnosc movement in the making ... That of French
philosopher and writer Bernard Henri Levy
who has been particularly outspoken and supportive of the Iranian people's
struggle.
TOP And BOTTOM: Bernard Henri Levy at
Paris Demo
Denounces Ahmadinejad's Coup
On the sidelines of
her political activism, Satrapi seems to have been particularly prolific in her
eclectic interests and artistic endeavors. She has even made an entrance in the
music arena by composing a song entitled "Poney Rose" for French Pop Star and
Actress Arielle Dombasle ( who also happens to be Bernard Henri Levi's wife) in
her latest album "Glamour A Mort" aka "Glamorous to the Death". The song was
co-written with another French iconoclastic singer and composer Philippe Katrine.
It aims at being a tribute to the Comic Book genre with references to comic book
heroes and their super natural powers and adventures. Bridging American
underground Culture with its French counterparts, Satrapi has also designed and
illustrated American Pop Star Iggy Pop's latest album entitled "Préliminaire",
a
Musical Tribute to French 'Avant Garde" Culture and songs. It should be noted
that Iggy Pop did one of the voiceovers for the English Version of Satrapi's
animated film Persepolis.
However
the most interesting new adventure for Satrapi has been her new film project
based on another of her successful comic books "Chicken with Plums".
It is
story of her great-uncle, a celebrated Iranian musician who gave up his life for
music and love. Set in Tehran in 1958, Nasser Ali Khan, one of Iran's most
revered tar players, discovers that his beloved instrument is irreparably
damaged. Even though he tries, he cannot find one to replace it, one whose sound
speaks to him with the same power and passion with which his music speaks to
others. In despair, he takes to his bed, renouncing the world and all its
pleasures, closing the door on the demands and love of his wife and his four
children. Over the course of the week that follows, his family and close friends
attempt to change his mind and save him from depression but Nasser Ali slips
further and further into his own reveries: flashbacks and flash-forwards (with
unexpected appearances by the likes of the Angel of Death and Sophia Loren) from
his own childhood through his children's futures. And as the pieces of his story
slowly fall into place, we begin to understand the reason's behind his decision
to give up on life.
Chicken
with Plums has all the ingredients that made the success of her previous books
Persepolis and Embroideries. One recognizes her dark humor, unique insight, and
generosity to render this emotional tale of life and death, and the courage and
passion it demands. Ironically in unfolding the poignant story of one man's
depression and gradual decline, it also manages to pay an unconventional tribute
to her own uncle's artistic endeavors and honesty amidst the historical, social
and political dilemmas of his time.
The
critical and box office success of Persepolis certainly explains why
Satrapi has been keen to work on another film with co-director and associate
Vincent Parronaud. What makes this upcoming project interesting is that they aim
to make a real feature film in Live Action and real actors playing the parts
onscreen unlike for their previously successful animated picture. This makes the
challenge and the excitement even more daunting all the more that the two novice
but genius directors will benefit from the facilities and technical know how of
one of Europe's legendary film studios that of Munich's Babelsberg Studio. Not
only have these studios made the reputation of German Expressionist Cinema with
such classics as Fritz Lang's Metropolis or Marlene Dietrich'sdebut in Joseph Von Sternberg's The Blue Angel
(1930) but they have also become one of Europe's most competitive studios which
Hollywood Productions (such as Brian Singer and Tom Cruise's Valkirie)
are keen to use when shooting in Europe.
Currently in Pre-Production Chicken with Plums will certainly be shot
with careful scrutiny and in secrecy given the high expectations of Satrapi's
fans after the international success of her first directorial debut with
co-director Parronaud. However given that it will not be an autobiography it
will also give her more latitude and freedom with the subject. Interestingly
Satrapi also made a screen debut as an actress in a teenage comedy Les Beaux Gosses
in which she plays a cameo role for fun. Could this suggest
that she may also play a role in her own movie or undertake a new artistic
departure this time as a full time actress ? Who knows ? ...
What is
certain however, is that Marjane, has proven to her fan's greatest joy to be
always where they expect her the least. As such she has remained True to herself
and the free spirited outspoken Iranian persona which has earned her a well
deserved international admiration and acclaim.
VIVE MARJANE !
VIVE LA MUSIQUE !
VIVE LE CINEMA !
Et
VIVE LA SOLIDARITE POUR UN IRAN LIBRE ET
DEMOCRATIQUE!
