Thesis and Outline: Argo and Persepolis

Argo movie trailer

Persepolis movie trailer

Introduction (rough draft)

The Islamic Revolution was in full blast in 1979. Iran has strict censorship policies, which

limits the people of Iran to be able to express themselves freely whether it be music, name 

brand materials, movies, and numerous other activities. These limitations are still active today,

but two stories in particular occurred directly in the middle of the revolution and the stories 

live on today.

Persepolis, first a graphic novel, then was turned into an animated biographical film. The

story follows author and director, Marjane Satrapi throughout her young childhood years, 

into her life as an adult during the Islamic Revolution. This movie has been translated into 

three languages, but the original was made in French.

The second story is Argo. This thriller drama 2012 film is directed by Ben Affleck. The

movie was based off a true story of a CIA mission named Canadian Caper. This real 

mission, transformed into a film of the Islamic revolution hostage situation at the United 

States embassy in Iran closely follows many situations that happened during this time in history.

The purpose of comparing these two films set during the Islamic revolution of 1979 is 

examining who is telling the story, and how the story changes based off who is telling it. We 

will be finding similarities and differences amongst an Iranian born Islamic female 

Marjane Satrapi and Ben Affleck/former CIA agent Tony Mendez. Interviews, scholarly

journals, and examination of filming techniques will assist in finding the similarities and 

differences between the two.

Thesis

The purpose of comparing and contrasting the films Argo (2012) and Persepolis (2007) 

is to find how the events of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 changed based off who was 

telling the story.

Outline

Introduction (see above)

•          Thesis clearly stated in the introduction

Marjane Satrapi’s side

•          Details of her national Iranian pride
•          How the world views Iran, but how the people of Iran really are (secondary source: Frames and Mirrors, Elahi)

Other Iranian Graphic novel authors/ directors

•          (secondary source: Marjane Satrapi and the Graphic Novels from and About the Middle East, Chikuma and Lazreg)
•          Talk about two different authors and what happened to them in Iran during the Islamic, and how their work was inspired from these events in history

Ben Affleck

•          Why he chose to do this movie topic?
•          What he learned as an actor/ director by making this film?
•          (secondary source: Ben Affleck, Van Sant)

Former CIA Agent Tony Mendez and Ben Affleck

•         Tony’s version of how the Islamic Revolution played out
•         How he feels about the result of the Argo film
•          Importance of Hollywood and CIA missions
•       (secondary source: Spies Like Us, Nashawaty)

Differences

•          Significant differences from each side of the people’s story that stand out
•          Differences between the movies (settings, mannerisms, actions of Iranian people)
•          Animation vs. Not animation

Similarities

•          (further research needed for this section)

Conclusion

•          Restate thesis
•          New significant findings
•          Restate the importance of the purpose comparing Argo and Persepolis