'Persepolis'.
Marjane Satrapi was born in 1969 in Rashjt, Iran into a modern and aristocratic family. She grew up in Teheran during the Iranese Revolution (1979), and was sent to Vienna at age 14 to flee the dictatorial regime in her home country. She led a vagrant life for a while, and eventually returned to Iran where she got married. In 1994, after a divorce, she moved to France. She took classes from the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Strasbourg and got her interest in comics through David B, whom she met at the Atelier des Vosges.
Shortly afterwards, Satrapi started working on her critically acclaimed, 'Persepolis' graphic novel. The first part of this autobiographical story about the various stages of the Iranese Revolution was published by L'Association in 2000, and three more installments followed until 2003.
'Persepolis'. English-language version.
'Persepolis' became an instant success; not only was this the first Iranese comic ever, she designed it especially to tell people about the real Iran, beyond the prejudices that surround a dictatorship. A film adaptation, 'Persepolis', was released by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud in 2007. Winshluss was one of the artists who worked on this animated feature. The picture received good reviews. Matt Groening declared it one of the best animated films he ever saw. In 2017 Satrapi was also special guest voice in 'The Simpsons' episode 'Springfield Splendor'.
Satrapi's following projects, 2003's 'Broderies' ('Embroideries') and 2004's 'Poulet aux Prunes' ('Chicken with Plums') were both also award-winning books at the Angoulême Comics Festival. The latter was also adapted into a film in 2010. Her work is published in the States by Pantheon Books. Satrapi is also a writer and illustrator of children's books.
In 2005 an asteroid was named after her. Marjane Satrapi has been cited as an influence by Mimi Pond, Dana Simpson and Judith Vanistendael. Her work has additionally been praised by veteran comic artist Ernie Colón.
'Poulet aux Plumes'.