Embassy irate over festival film

MOVING PICTURE: Persepolis is based on an Iranian's autobiographical novel. The Iranian embassy in Wellington says the film festival feature is 'full of lies and unreal fantasy'.

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The Iranian embassy has attacked the Wellington Film Festival for its decision to include an animated feature, Persepolis, which is critical of Iran's regime.

The embassy said the film, which screens from Friday, was "full of lies and unreal fantasy", exploitative and unfair. The film was also "anti-peace and insulting".

"The film-maker is trying to evoke spectators' emotion through exaggeration [and] by distortion of history, especially Iran's revolution and the role of people in it," the embassy said.

Persepolis is based on an autobiographical, graphic novel by Iranian woman Marjane Satrapi. It won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival last year and was nominated for a best animated feature Oscar.

New Zealand International Film Festival director Bill Gosden said he did not believe the film-maker was insulting the values of ancient Iran.

"It's certainly not the festival's intention to do so.

"We do believe that any film-maker is entitled to present their view of events, and that every film-goer should be encouraged to reach their own view of the film-maker's reliability."

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Sandra Clark   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Having seen this film a few months ago, I have to say it's a winner. I did not view it as exploitative or insulting to Iran, rather it is a portrayal of one girls experiences and, having spoken to an Iranian friend who lived through the same times, a fairly accurate depiction of a childs reality.

Go see it Wellington - you won't be disappointed

Pip Duncalf   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Re your opinion poll on Persepolis . Having travelled in Iran in the early 70s,read the book years ago and seen the film last week there is no option on your poll to tell the truth . This is a story told from a child's point of view .This was how SHE SAW IT. The film is true to the book (not necessarily to the view the Iranian Embassy has of their history ) The book and the film are brilliant .Go and see the film for yourself. Thank you Bill for showing this film If this storm in a tea cup does nothing other than encourage people to go and see the film it is fine by me . I have been to four films at the festival,so far .This was the best and unfortunately the least patronised.Sell it out Wellington !!

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