Before I begin this review, I would like to say I'm a big admirer of Persepolis, the comic series by French-Iranian artist Marjane-Satrapi. I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of the film adaptation in the library, and did not hesitate to borrow it.
The premise of the film
Similar to the comic book, the film covers Marjane's life as a child under the Islamic Revolution to a teenager wandering the streets of Europe to a young adult leaving Iran for a second time. She struggles
The theology
There are many issues I would like to blog about. For instance, I would like to blog about how Marjane's uncle faith in the people was misplaced, on the ideology of the Iranian government or even on Marjane's teenage experiences in Europe. However, what I would like to highlight is how Marjane's view of God has changed overtime.
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| Marjane and God |
This "God" is loving and kind, and would never let any harm come to Marjane's way. This "God" is like a cosmic Santa Claus who gives Marjane a good life, without preparing her for the suffering to come.
So it was no surprise that Marjane's theology was shattered when her uncle was executed by the Iranian state. Angered by powerlessness from her "God", she bids him to go away. As she becomes a young adult, her view on God has become more deistic (a "God" who does not care) and answers her queries with a "Yeah, yeah" emotionlessly.
Although the film does not explicit state Marjane's current religious belief, she has stated her lack of belief in God. I find her current belief unsurprising since her theology was not strong in the first place.
Her theology should serve as a warning to Christians. So often, we Christians also have a "Santa Claus" theology: God will reward us if we behave well, and punish us if we behave badly. If Christians are not prepared to have a theology of suffering, then we will have an incomplete theology (Carson, 2006). After all, Jesus had warned in John 15:20 that "the world will persecute" Christians.
In addition, when we face suffering, we often complain of the unfairness of suffering, just like Marjane confronts "God". But why do we expect not to suffer? Were we expecting our wealth, family and social status to protect us from the reality of the world?
Left with a poor understanding of God, we too might abandon our faith unwittingly. Christians should be mature about their faith.
Overall
I particularly am humbled by her experiences in Iran during her childhood days, and her struggle for identity during her adolescent years. I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like growing up during the Iran-Iraq War, or to be discriminated against when in Europe (even though I did my university studies there).
I rate this 85/100.
References
Carson, D. (2006) How Long, O God?
