Comparing the novel of Persepolis with the movie that was made about it presents a very unique comparison. In many aspects, the book and the movie were alike, depicting young Marjane's life in two very similar manners. On the contrary, the differences between the two were often very noticeable.
Being not as familiar with the history of the dictatorship that was taking place during the time of the story, I often found it hard to follow the historical context entirely throughout the duration of the book. I felt as though the movie did a much better job at giving the historical background of the time. After watching the movie, I more clearly understood the rise of the dictator and how he first came to power. The areas of confusion cleared up as I visually watched Marjane grow into a young adult.
One of the historical aspects of the movie that stuck out to me was the moment when Marjane's father first explained the dictatorship to young Marjane. As he spoke to her about the background of who he was and his evil doings, cartoon characters of the political figures moved about on screen to tell the a story. Unlike the characters of Persepolis, these cartoon characters were especially cartoonish...almost to a point where it was more humorous than educational to watch them. They gave off a child like performances with their puppet like movements and bobbing heads. The director of the movie may have been comparing the actions of the dictators to those of children, trying to say that what was going on was childish.
I completely agree that the movie did a more realistic portrayal of the dictatorship and development of Iran's system of government. I think, like you note, that the fluid movement and action in the movie caused the viewer to visualize and better understand what was occurring as opposed to the confused reader who had to both formulate their own mental images and comprehend the situation.
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