The Beloved Uncle Anoosh

From Persepolis the movie

This is the most heart-wrenching scene for me in both forms of Persepolis the book and movie. In the movie, this scene was well drawn to show the dramatic event that was taking place. The film uses the technical affect of black and white contrast on the walls, floor, light coming through the window onto Marji and Uncle Anoosh. It is interesting that in the Uncle Anoosh is pictured in a white shirt and Marji in a black. I associate Uncle Anoosh wearing white as him being the light for Marji in this time of war. And Marji wearing a black dress to show her sadness in this experience.

Another technical characteristic of this scene is the distance of the camera from the scene. This helps evokes several different emotions, such as this being a private experience for them and the isolation that they would soon feel.

One point of interest I have not yet comprehended is the importance of the swan. He made the bread-swan in this scene while in jail. It is very possible that he used a very substantial portion of the food he received to make this swan. It is a act of self-sacrificial love. In the movie and the book Uncle Anoosh says, "I made you another bread-swan. It's the uncle of the first one." I believe that this means Uncle Anoosh is saying he will always be with Marji.

Overall, this scene was carried over very well from the book into movie format. My only critique that the movie did not emphasize Anoosh and Marji's relationship as much as the book. Making this scene in the movie less emotional than in the book.