Persepolis, a 2007 adult animated film, written and directed by Marjane Satrapi in collaboration with Vincent Paronnaud, will be shown at The Cinema Bar by Citylights in Valletta today from 4.30 to 6pm.

The story is about an Iranian woman, Marjane ‘Marji’ Satrapi, who, when looking at the flight schedule at an airport in France, her eyes come to rest on a listing bound for Tehran. She then takes a seat, smokes a cigarette, and reflects on her childhood.

As a young girl, Marji lived in Tehran, wanted to be a prophet, and was a big fan of Bruce Lee. When the 1979 Iranian revolution against the Shah of Iran begins, her middle-class family is thrilled and participates in the rallies, though Marji herself is forbidden from attending. One day, Siamak Jari, a friend of the family and the father of Marji’s friend Lali, is released from prison. They all listen as he recounts the horrors of prison, and Marji grows jealous of Lali having a real ‘hero’ in her family.

Some days later, Marji and a group of friends attempt to attack a young boy, Ramine, whose father, a member of SAVAK, the Shah’s secret police, had killed Communists and revolutionaries as part of his work. They retrieve nails from a toolbox and chase him, but are stopped by Marji’s mother, who punishes Marji. 

In her room, God tells Marji that Ramine’s father’s crimes are not Ramine’s fault. Marji walks up to Ramine the next day to say she forgives him for his father being a ‘murderer’ but Ramine staunchly defends his father and angrily rides away on his bike.

Only Lovers Left Alive is another film showing today from 9 to 11pm at the Cinema Bar by Citylights.

A depressed musician reunites with his lover. Their romance, which has already endured several centuries, is disrupted by the arrival of her uncontrollable younger sister.

The film features Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska.

The Cinema Bar by Citylights is at 56, St John Street, Valletta.